As the season has progressed, Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard has looked increasingly likely to clinch the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year award.
In 61 games this season, Pritchard has averaged 14.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.5 assists in 28 minutes per game. Leading up to March 5th, he had scored at least 20 points in 18 games. He’d also knocked down at least four triples in a game 26 times this season.
Against the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday, Pritchard may have unofficially shut down any debate over who wins the award. In 43 minutes off the bench with his Celtics shorthanded, the 27-year-old erupted for a career-high 43 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists. He shot 10-for-16 from beyond the arc and didn’t commit a single turnover.
Detroit Pistons guard Malik Beasley and Cleveland Cavaliers forward De’Andre Hunter are going to have to put on a show the rest of the way. Along with Minnesota Timberwolves forward Naz Reid, they are all likely fighting for second place.
The Sixth Man of the Year award is exempt from the NBA’s 65-game rule that applies to other major end of season awards. So, even an injury at this point can’t stop the Celtics guard from taking home the trophy.
PAYTON PRITCHARD CAREER NIGHT. 😱🔥🔥
– 43 PTS
– 10 3PT
– 10 REB
– 5 AST
– 14/20 FG pic.twitter.com/r6GKmF9svz— House of Highlights (@HoHighlights) March 6, 2025
Pritchard’s Case Likely To Get Stronger
Boston is looking further entrenched as the second seed due to the Cavs’ 12-game winning streak. Eight games behind first place and 3.5 games ahead of the New York Knicks, it’s quite plausible rest is prioritized down the stretch. Not to mention, Jrue Holiday is also nursing a finger injury.
Pritchard averaged nearly 30 minutes per game in February, and that may now increase in March. The Celtics have the second-easiest strength of schedule remaining behind only the Toronto Raptors. He should have plenty of opportunity to further bolster his numbers.
Shooting a career-best 42.3 percent from deep, Pritchard has started off March by knocking down 13 of his first 21 attempts from downtown.
His impact off the bench as a flamethrower with a bit of playmaking has been undeniable this season. He will certainly be counted on a great deal to continue his hot shooting into the postseason.
Beasley Closest Contender For Sixth Man?
Per betting odds, Beasley is Pritchard’s biggest competition.
The nine-year veteran is averaging 16.6 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and just under a steal per game. While not playing as much of an all-round game as Pritchard, Beasley’s sharpshooting threat has been a critical component of Detroit’s success. He has knocked down 42.1 percent of his 9.5 three-point attempts per game this season.
In the absence of Jaden Ivey, Beasley has emerged as the team’s second-leading scorer behind Cade Cunningham.
Detroit has turned around its fortunes this season, sitting sixth in the East with a 35-28 record. That will surely create at least some debate for voters when considering Beasley’s candidacy.
Does Beasley have a monster performance in him to pull eye balls back in his direction? It’s worth remembering that he did drop a season-high 36 points on Feb. 7 in a win over the Philadelphia 76ers.
Hunter’s numbers with Cleveland haven’t popped as much as they did in Atlanta and so he may be a distant third at this point.
Minnesota’s Reid may actually deserve more love than the odds suggest. He’s currently fourth at +1600.
Reid has averaged a career-high 14.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, and just under a steal as well as a block. He’s been indispensable to the Wolves, especially with Julius Randle missing significant time due to injury.
He is also arguably the best defender of the bunch, and is counted on nightly in important matchups.
