Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard can score in a hurry. He’s established himself as a punchy offensive weapon for the Celtics off the bench, and the former Oregon Duck can light it up when given the chance. Over the weekend he reminded the basketball world of that scoring prowess, exploding for 61 points at the Ball Don’t Stop pro-am tournament in Vancouver, Canada.
Dubbed Canada’s “biggest pro-am,” Ball Don’t Stop has been inviting amateur and professional hoopers to its summer showcase games since 2016. Pritchard’s 61 points represent an event record, besting the likes of Jamal Crawford, Scottie Barnes, former Celtic Nate Robinson, and other pros. In fact, fellow Boston alum Isaiah Thomas played alongside Pritchard this weekend during his big outing.
Pritchard, who is entering his fourth season as a pro this fall, was rewarded with a professional wrestling-inspired belt after the game. Impressively, however, this isn’t even close to Pritchard’s biggest pro-am scoring outburst.
Whether it was a good one or a bad one is evidently in the eye of the beholder. https://t.co/VizqcwMusG
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) August 21, 2023
Back in 2021, Pritchard left Las Vegas Summer League early, instead showing up in his native Oregon where he went for 92 points at the Portland Pro-Am. Always a big supporter of the Pacific Northwest, Pritchard posted on Instagram to celebrate after the game.
Pritchard averaged a career-low 13.4 minutes per game last season, and agitated for more playing time. In the final game of the 2022-23 season, He had a triple-double, logging 30 points, 14 rebounds, and 11 assists. Pritchard could be looking at an elevated role with the Celtics this coming season now that Marcus Smart is a member of the Memphis Grizzlies.
Tatum has climbed the mountain top to reach the peak of small forwards in the league. https://t.co/oiR6ADPp8b
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) August 21, 2023
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