Pritchard as a prized sharpshooter off the bench is a main focus for the Celtics as they look to get back to the NBA Finals. His rise to elite in the shooting department was supposed to happen in the guard's third season. Unfortunately, that never materialized and Pritchard saw less minutes, leading to the lowest numbers of his career.
A crowded backcourt and bench kept Pritchard's minutes down. Those obstacles were cleared with the trades of Marcus Smart and Malcolm Brogdon. And while Derrick White and newcomer Jrue Holiday will see the majority of backcourt minutes, Pritchard will have plenty of chances to seize the opportunity for more playing time.
Glancing in the rearview
After increased contributions and value in his first two seasons, Pritchard was poised for a true breakout in 2022-23. The aim was simple: fill a role the Celtics desperately needed in recent seasons and provide them with a knockdown three-point shooter off the bench. Not to say Boston hasn't been a decent three-point shooting team in the last five season but no one particularly stood out as a player who scares opponents any time the shot is launched from deep.
Best hopes were quickly dashed and fans were treated to a Pritchard sighting only once or twice a week in the early going last season. Pritchard appeared in only three games during the team's first six, playing a grand total of 16 minutes in October.
It was really until the calendar flipped to 2023 in which Pritchard played more consistent minutes. The output wasn't consistent, however. Pritchard would delight by hitting three or four 3's in a game, with a high percentage, followed by four-and-five game stretches of going 4-18 from deep (or thereabouts).
All told, Pritchard's third season saw him post career lows in games (48), points per game (5.6) field goal percentage (41.2) and three-point percentage (36.4), among other categories.
Pritchard finished the regular season with a flourish, scoring 52 points in Boston's last two games. He was 13-24 from three-point range and had a triple-double (30 points, 14 rebounds, 11 assists) in the regular season finale against the Atlanta Hawks.
Yes, playoff spots were secured, and starters were being rested but it's efforts like that for Pritchard that prove he is capable of being a regular, high-volume contributor on the Celtics.
Pritchard: 2023-24 outlook
Pritchard got his offseason started off right when he was named to the 2023 USA Basketball Men's Select Team. This allowed Pritchard to train and practice with the men's national team as they prepared for the 2023 World Cup.
Keeping consistent with that high-level of an offseason has carried over to the preseason for Pritchard. Through four games, Pritchard is averaging nearly 19 points, with one game left on the agenda (in-progress as of this writing) before regular season play opens for Boston on October 25 in New York against the Knicks.
In more indication that Pritchard is an important part of the future for the Celtics, he was signed to a 4-year, 30-million dollar extension earlier in October.
All signs are pointing to Pritchard's fourth season being his best yet. A good, healthy season would mean Pritchard seeing 20+ minutes per game and contributing 8-10 points. It's entirely doable, especially as Pritchard adds a pesky defense when called upon. Add a few more assists each game, and Pritchard is well on his way to being a valuable contributor to this franchise for years to come.
photo credit: Wikimedia Commons
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