Payton Pritchard Not Satisfied With Celtics’ Stunning Start
Heading into this NBA season, expectations for the Boston Celtics were all over the place. Not only had they lost much of their championship core over the offseason, but they’d also be without Jayson Tatum for much of the season due to his Achilles injury.
Some viewed them as a play-in team, while others expected them to tank and miss the playoffs entirely.
Not even the most optimistic Celtics fans, however, could have guessed that they’d be the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference in early January.
Boston has dramatically exceeded expectations this year, especially recently. With Jaylen Brown putting up MVP numbers and the bench performing at a high level, the surging Celtics have the NBA’s best record since Thanksgiving entering play on Tuesday.
Boston’s success this season in the face of numerous challenges is remarkably impressive. However, Payton Pritchard says the team isn’t taking anything for granted and remains focused on winning a championship.
“I don’t think we’re sitting here like ‘oh we’re third, let’s celebrate’. We’re used to being first and winning championships,” Pritchard said recently on NBA Courtside. “We’re trying to be the number 1 seed and work our way to being in that championship conversation again.”
That will be easier if and when Tatum comes back, but the Celtics have done an incredible job holding down the fort without him. Brown has elevated his game and Pritchard has flourished in his new starting role, averaging career highs in points, rebounds and assists.
Pritchard knows what it takes to win a title, and the regular season isn’t even halfway over yet. Boston still has a long way to go.