BOSTON — On Tuesday night, the NBA announced that Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard was the winner of the 2025 Sixth Man of the Year award. Pritchard averaged 14.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game this season, shooting 47.2% from the field and 40.7% from behind the three-point line.
Before Game 2 of the Celtics’ first-round playoff series against the Orlando Magic, Pritchard accepted the award at half-court in front of the fans at TD Garden. Celtics President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens, who was Pritchard’s head coach at the beginning of his career, was there alongside him.
Pritchard finished ahead of Detroit Pistons guard Malik Beasley and Cleveland Cavaliers guard Ty Jerome in the voting.
Payton Pritchard accepted Sixth Man of the Year award
During a pre-game press conference, Pritchard spoke about what an honor it was to win the award, but also stated that he has bigger goals in mind.
“It's something that, like, you're thankful, and it's an exciting moment,” Pritchard said. “We captured the video. But it's kind of like, I'm glad to get it, but my mind's quickly shifted to, the main goal is to win a ring.
“It's great to have this award, but to cap off the season, I'd much rather have a ring with it than an individual award. So, the most important thing is to get this for the great team and the city.”
Payton Pritchard accepts his Sixth Man of the Year award pic.twitter.com/WLi6gX80Dr
— Jack Simone (@JackSimoneNBA) April 23, 2025
Pritchard's award comes on the heels of a 19-point performance in Game 1 against the Magic, when he helped the Celtics earn a 103-86 victory and take a 1-0 lead in the series.