Payton Pritchard's competitive character shines as he flirts with Celtics history

Philadelphia -- Game 4 against the 76ers is one that Payton Pritchard will never forget. He erupted for a playoff career-high 32 points. It's the second most off the bench by a member of the Boston Celtics since Kevin McHale had 34 while in the second unit during the 1991 postseason. After Friday's slugfest, he was at the heart of the first haymaker in Game 4.

It started with him keeping a possession alive, then crashing the offensive glass and getting rewarded for his hustle with a put-back layup. From there, he uncorked step-back 3s and pulled up from 30 feet for a swish. After the latter, he looked over and had something to say to NBC broadcaster Reggie Miller.

"It's just friendly banter," said Pritchard post-game while discussing his running dialogue with the Basketball Hall of Famer, with whom he has built a friendship. "I get going off of that."

Continuing his three-level scoring display, he swerved by Joel Embiid and launched a one-legged runner from beyond the arc. A late contest from Dominick Barlow couldn't prevent the latest buzzer-beater from a player who relishes those opportunities.

His shot dropped the Sixers to the canvas. It gave Boston a 16-point lead entering the second quarter. The hosts, who had 18 points, were barely beating Pritchard, who had 13.

From there, the Celtics continued empowering Pritchard

"He had big performances this year, so we trust him with the ball in his hands, especially when he's got it going like that," said Jaylen Brown after the visitors' 128-96 win. "You just tell him to keep going and play off of him."

As the Celtics continued empowering their sixth man, the 76ers never found a way to cut off his water, and Boston never stopped encouraging his career night.

"He's definitely in my ear all the time about being aggressive. Especially since the playoffs have come around," voiced Pritchard about the in-game messaging he was receiving from Joe Mazzulla. "When you're hearing your coaches say that — that gives you the ultimate freedom."

There was a time when the sixth-year guard didn't have that. Instead, he was buried on the depth chart behind veterans like Dennis Schroder and Malcolm Brogdon. For as confident as those in the organization were that his time would come, not everyone survives being glued to the bench for multiple years. It feels like torture and is an excruciating test of one's mental fortitude.

Pritchard stayed the course. He found solace in the work.

"P is a gym rat," stated Jayson Tatum after his team seized a 3-1 lead as this rivalry clash returns to Boston. "It shows in moments like tonight."

The former Oregon star's relentless pursuit of his dreams led to a two-way evolution. He has blossomed into one of the league's most lethal isolation scorers. He generated 1.11 points per possession in those scenarios this season. That was the third-most among those who played at least 60 games and averaged at least one iso attempt per game, according to NBA.com.

Pritchard's speed, his tight handle, and ability to burrow his way downhill without getting bumped off his spot make him seemingly impossible to keep out of the paint. From there, he is exceptional at playing off two feet. His control and craftiness consistently lead to buckets.

There's also the growth on defense that led to him getting more opportunities a year ago against top scorers like Luka Doncic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Cade Cunningham. The Celtics have a relentless pack of hounds they can unleash on those individuals this season. However, Pritchard remains an impactful on-ball defender. In an era where teams hunt the weak link, they know he doesn't meet that description. Instead, his play at that end is a strength for a Boston team that yielded the fewest points per game during the regular season.

That's the key, is his two-way evolution. He's been on a journey since he's gotten in the NBA, and he's started, he's not started, has [been] passed up, come off the bench," said Mazzulla while discussing Pritchard's journey and competitive character after Friday's win. "But throughout it, he's kept a level of professionalism, consistency, but like, mental toughness. So, we're at our best when he's aggressive, and he's bought into any role that's necessary to winning and just cares about competing, cares about the right stuff."

The six-foot-one guard plays with a fiery passion. It's a trait he shares with Jaylen Brown. Both of them harnessed that unbridled passion and burning desire to be their best to reach the heights they have ascended to. That includes helping the Celtics raise banner 18 to the rafters at TD Garden.

"That's like a big brother to me," Pritchard told this author about his bond with Brown in an exclusive interview at nearly this time a year ago. "We have a similar mindset and mentality, just the way he approaches the game. And there's just a competitor to us."

After Pritchard's career night, Jaylen Brown shared his perspective on the growth he has seen from the Celtics guard along a journey that required patience and perseverance.

"It's amazing. The work ethic speaks for itself," said Brown. "And when you see someone put in the work behind the scenes, moments like this are all the better. So, big game from Payton, and look forward to him having more big games throughout the playoffs."

The other half of Boston's star tandem saw Pritchard's competitive fire and unbreakable will to win long before the two became teammates. It lends itself to having even more appreciation for the competitive character that has propelled last season's Sixth Man of the Year into the player he is now.

"It's incredible to see," expressed Tatum after Pritchard helped move the Celtics within one win of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. "I've known P since we was in high school; very same high school class. So, obviously, he's a better version of himself, but he's always been that competitive. Doesn't back down from anybody. Always takes on a challenge."

The one he met on Sunday manifested itself in the form of him knocking down six of the 12 threes he hoisted, 12 of his 21 field goal attempts [57.1 percent], and dishing out five assists, as he painted a masterpiece that pushed the Sixers to the brink of elimination.

"His ability to create his own shot, and how well, obviously, he can shoot the ball," voiced Tatum. "It's a luxury to have a guy like that, that can score with the best of them, coming off the bench on your team."

In Sunday night's victory, in the city that's home to the Rocky Balboa statue, that luxury delivered a knockout blow to one of the Celtics' chief rivals.

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