Payton Pritchard makes Celtics history with latest outburst

With 96 makes from 25 games, Pritchard leads all Celtics, including Derrick White (89) and Jayson Tatum (88), for most threes this season and is tied for second behind only Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards (103) in the league. However, Pritchard (43.2%) is shooting the best percentage from deep among all players who've taken 200 or more threes thus far. 

While Pritchard's three-point shooting has always been his strong suit, the Oregon alum has grown leaps and bounds as a playmaker over the last two seasons. He already has four games with eight or more assists including his latest double-double effort on Thursday. Pritchard's ability to run Boston's second unit has made him an even more credible candidate to win Sixth Man of the Year. 

The odds-on favorite to win the award, Pritchard downplayed his individual accolades after Thursday's 123-99 win versus the Pistons.

"It's not something I really think about," he told reporters, via ClutchPoints' Daniel Donabedian. "If I'm fortunate to win, I guess it's a testament to the hard work I put in. I think it just means that I help this team coming off the bench and doing my job at a high level. So, it's not something I'm like, if I don't win or win, it's not make or break for me. I'm gonna continue what I'm doing. But yeah, it would be an honor."

Pritchard is also a candidate for Most Improved Player, having upped his points (9.6 to 16.5) and three-pointers made (1.8 to 3.8) considerably from last season while averaging only 6.1 more minutes per game.