Boston Celtics: Breaking down the studs and duds in Cs second unit

Boston Celtics second-unit stud #1: Payton Pritchard

The conversation of studs on the Boston Celtics unit begins and ends with rookie Payton Pritchard. Selected with the #26 pick, Pritchard was projected to do big things by Damian Lillard, who had a close vantage point of the fellow Oregonian floor general (Pritchard, of course, with the Oregon Ducks) but few could have predicted the breakout he has enjoyed so far in 2020-21.

Just five percentage points short on his overall field goal percentage of a 50/40/90 season (shooting 45% from the field, 40% from the 3-point line, and a scorching 95% from the free-throw line), Pritchard has been everything the Cs could have wanted in a backup point guard, especially considering the struggles Jeff Teague is having as the primary backup.

Boston Celtics second-unit stud #2: Robert Williams

The “Time Lord” has similarly stepped up in the absence of the needed performance a veteran signee from the 2020 offseason was supposed to provide. Tristan Thompson’s lack of success as the starting center for the Cs has facilitated Williams shining, though his production in limited minutes has done most of the heavy lifting in that respect.

Per-36 minutes, Williams is averaging 15 points, 13 rebounds, two assists, three blocks and two steals a game.

Boston Celtics second-unit stud #3: Semi Ojeleye

Having stuck with the Celtics since being drafted in 2017, Semi Ojeleye is providing a stabilizing presence for a roster that has added plenty of young talent in the past two NBA Drafts.

Upping his 3-point shooting to 38% on over three shot attempts per contest, Ojeleye is making himself indispensable in Brad Stevens’ rotation.