Payton Pritchard Makes NBA History In Celtics Win Over Nets

Celtics guard Payton Pritchard literally shot his way into the NBA record books Saturday night in Boston’s win over the Brooklyn Nets.

Pritchard drilled his 219th 3-pointer off the bench, setting a new NBA record. There has never been a more prolific bench shooting season than the one Pritchard is having for the Celtics across this campaign.

He’s one of five players to make 200-plus shots from downtown off the bench, and he’s on pace for 260-plus, per Celtics insider Taylor Snow. Pritchard broke the record of 218 set by Wayne Ellington in the 2017-18 season while playing off the bench for the Miami Heat.

Terrence Ross came close to matching Ellington’s record when the former Orlando Magic guard connected on 217 3’s in 2018-19. The other two players to hit more than 200 were the Philadelphia 76ers’ Eric Gordon (206 in 2016-17) and Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson, who made 203 during the 2020-21 season.

Pritchard has been favored to win the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year award all season. Breaking such a record certainly boosts the case for the 6-foot-1 guard, who is shooting a career-best 41.5 percent from beyond the arc on the season. If Pritchard can win the award, he will be the first Celtic to do so since Malcom Brogdon in the 2022-23 campaign.

This season, Pritchard is averaging 14 points, 3.7 rebounds and 3.4 assists in 59 games off the bench for Boston and is an essential member of the Celtics’ roster and quest for Banner No. 19.