Celtics Payton Pritchard Wins Sixth Man of the Year

Two years ago, Payton Pritchard sat on the edge of the Boston Celtics’ rotation. Now, he stands at the forefront of league recognition. The NBA officially named Payton Pritchard the 2025 Sixth Man of the Year. It’s the first of the league’s major individual awards to be handed out this postseason.

Celtics Payton Pritchard Wins Sixth Man of the Year

His journey has been far from easy. During his third season, Pritchard appeared in only 48 games. At that time, he considered leaving Boston. But his perseverance, growth, and willingness to adapt paid off. He’s become an essential piece of a championship-contending roster.

“I feel like every year, you get a little bit better,” Pritchard said before receiving the award. “So I hope that… I’ve gotten better than I was last year.”

A Historic Season Off the Bench

Pritchard didn’t just win the Sixth Man award—he earned it through relentless production. In 80 games this season, with just three starts, he averaged 14.3 points per game. He shot 40.7% from beyond the arc and played over 28 minutes per night.

He rewrote Boston’s bench record books in the process. Pritchard became the first Celtics reserve to score at least 20 points in four straight games since Isaiah Thomas in 2015. He also became the only Celtic ever to notch at least 15 points and three threes in five consecutive games off the bench. His ability to heat up quickly made him a dangerous weapon.

On March 5, he exploded for 43 points, grabbed 10 rebounds, and hit a Boston-record 10 threes off the bench. That night, he and teammate Derrick White combined for 19 threes, a feat no other pair in NBA history has achieved.

Mental Maturity and Embracing the Role

Adjusting to the bench wasn’t easy for the former Oregon standout. Early in his career, Pritchard struggled with uncertainty. But maturity brought perspective.

“I feel like that’s probably another area of growth I’ve had, too,” he said. “Mentally… you might be like, ‘Oh, I’m not playing as much tonight.’ But instead… once you get your opportunity, you just take full advantage of it and don’t look back.”

He consistently brings energy, shooting, and defensive effort. Whether he’s entering the game late in the first quarter or in crunch time, he delivers.

League Recognition and Award Voting

The Sixth Man of the Year award, named after Celtics legend John Havlicek, is a perfect fit for Payton Pritchard. He dominated the vote, receiving 82 of 100 first-place ballots. He was the only player to appear on every single ballot.

Malik Beasley of the Detroit Pistons finished second. However, he probably should have gotten more first-place votes. Beasley shot 41.6% from deep and hit 319 threes, 233 of them off the bench. Beasley was key to the Pistons historic turnaround, providing key spacing around Cade Cunningham.

Ty Jerome of the Cleveland Cavaliers came in third. After missing nearly all of last season, Jerome bounced back by averaging 12.5 points per game and shooting over 51% from the field.

Other players who received votes included Naz Reid, De’Andre Hunter, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Russell Westbrook, and Alex Caruso.

The League’s First Honor of the Postseason

The NBA’s award season has officially begun, with Pritchard leading the way. Clutch Player, Defensive Player of the Year, and the Hustle Award will be announced next. Finalists for those honors include stars like Jalen Brunson, Nikola Jokić, and Draymond Green.

Still, Pritchard’s win stands out. He turned a once uncertain future into a meaningful role for a historic franchise. Boston has now produced a Sixth Man winner who fits both the legacy and the modern mold.

“I’ve just been through it now,” Pritchard reflected. “So I understand what it takes and what this team needs.”

For a player once labeled a long shot, Pritchard now makes big shots—and makes them count.