Why Payton Pritchard Rejected Rare All-Star Weekend Opportunity

Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard has been among the most elite 3-point shooters this season, and the NBA took notice.

Pritchard, in fact, was contacted by the league about an opportunity to display his red-hot 3-point touch at this year’s All-Star Weekend in San Francisco. The conversations surrounding Pritchard’s potential participation in the annual 3-point contest, however, didn’t gain much traction when the 27-year-old shut down the talks.

During team practice at Kaseya Center on Monday ahead of a matchup with the Miami Heat, Pritchard revealed why.

“They had communicated to me a little bit about it,” Pritchard told reporters, per CLNS Media. “But I just didn’t think it was the time this year.”

The Celtics have received a career year from their undersized reserve unit leader as Pritchard has averaged a career-high 14.1 points, shooting 47.5% from the field and 42.2% from three. He’s also played a career-best 27.7 minutes through 52 appearances, all coming off the bench and Pritchard’s contributions have continued to translate. Pritchard’s 732 total points scored leads all reserves in the NBA.

It’s still early, but Pritchard’s solidifying surge has placed the Oregon product at the forefront of the league’s Sixth Man of the Year conversation. He’s been an integral part of Boston’s title defense, supporting the starting lineup with a volume of scoring that’s made up for the team’s depth issues.

Getting recognition is huge in its own right, but being named to any of the All-Star Weekend festivities is a whole different level. Pritchard’s teammates Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown earned their All-Star nods while JD Davison of the team’s G League affiliate Maine Celtics was selected for the Rising Stars Game.

Pritchard isn’t underselling the unique opportunity that comes with competing in any of the All-Star Weekend events, but that’s not a priority, either. The Celtics enter their matchup with the Miami Heat at 37-16, second in the Eastern Conference, and in need of a momentum switch.

It also doesn’t hurt to enjoy the brief intermission while Tatum and Brown take the stage in San Francisco, either.

“I mean, I love playing basketball but I do like a break occasionally,” Pritchard admitted. “I’m gonna be nice on the beach, chilling, being with friends and family so I take it in. I am like a normal kid at the end of the day. … I go and relax, do normal things. Have good meals, maybe have a drink. I don’t know.”

Pritchard underwent a strenuous offseason which consisted of daily full-court defensive press drills and 1-on-1. That strive to improve defensively paid its dividends, not only for Pritchard’s personal growth but for the Celtics, too. Boston even inherited Pritchard’s full-court pressure drill and implemented it into their practices early this season.

So while Pritchard won’t be shooting under the bright lights in February, the five-year veteran will save his hot hand for the playoffs instead.

Jalen Brunson, Cade Cunningham, Darius Garland, Tyler Herro, Buddy Hield, Cameron Johnson, Damian Lillard and Norman Powell will battle it out in the 2025 Starry 3-Point Contest on Saturday night at Chase Center.