The Boston Celtics returned to action on Sunday with a 121-118 win over the LA Clippers. Though the Cs came out on top, this one was probably closer than they'd have hoped after taking a 24-point lead in the third quarter.
Here's what stood out.
Payton Pritchard’s three-pointer is back, for real
After Payton Pritchard’s 24-point outburst against the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday, he credited his new haircut for his efficient scoring night.
“Since I’ve been in college, I like the short hair playing,” he told reporters postgame. “Maybe it makes me a little bit faster.”
Man, I hope he takes good care of his barber.
Whatever haircut magic Pritchard found on Wednesday carried over into Sunday’s game vs. the Clippers. The Oregon native came out of the gates red hot. He drilled four of his first five attempts from beyond the arc, which helped the Celtics get out to an early 16-point lead over LA.
Pritchard stayed hot through halftime and finished the day with 28 points on 8-13 shooting from long range.
This was the sort of offense the Celtics hoped they’d get from the reigning Sixth Man of the Year.
So is Derrick White’s
Derrick White’s early-season shooting slump might be over. Much like Pritchard, he was impressive in Wednesday’s win and continued to be on Sunday. White made it clear early on that his last performance wasn’t a fluke.
He started off three of four from long range in the win over LA, before capping off his 20-point night with a dagger triple to give Boston a 10-point lead with just over a minute to play.
There’s simply been something different about him over the past week and a half. Sure, it helps when the shot is going in, but even before that, he was playing more impactful basketball.
It’s no surprise that the Cs are 3-1 since he’s gotten himself going again.
Jordan Walsh Continues to Impress
Jordan Walsh made his second straight start for the Cs in this one. Since he’s emerged as a rotation staple, his role has been painfully clear.
Go out there and make things painstakingly difficult for the other team’s best player.
On Sunday, that was James Harden. Walsh hounded Harden into a 2-10 start from the field, before Harden got himself going in the non-Walsh minutes towards the end of a disastrous third quarter for Boston.
Aside from picking up the Clippers’ main offensive weapon, Walsh created plenty of chaos on defense. He finished the day with three steals and a block.
There may be a new member of the “Stock Exchange.”
Shoutout to Luka Garza
Luka Garza fouled out early in the fourth quarter of this one, and it genuinely felt like a big loss for the Celtics. If I wrote that sentence a month ago, I’m not sure anyone would believe it.
Garza has quietly found his footing with Boston and has played a nice energy role off of the bench lately. Sunday was yet another double-digit scoring day for the big man, as he finished with 13 points and four rebounds in 14 minutes.