Payton Pritchard explained why he isn’t aiming for triple-doubles

Celtics

“You want to achieve it naturally, in the flow of the game.”

Payton Pritchard is in the thick of the race for NBA Sixth Man of the Year honors, and statistical success can only help him.

On Friday night, he was just two rebounds shy of his second career triple-double. He had 18 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds.

Pritchard was in good position for a possible ninth rebound with 5:36 left in the fourth quarter. Indiana’s James Johnson fired a 3-point shot from the top of the key, and Pritchard was in the paint when it bounced off the back of the rim.

Pritchard was on one side of the basket and 6-foot-2 forward Jordan Walsh was on the other. The taller, younger Walsh jumped to the rebound and grabbed it.

After the game, Pritchard said he knew how close he was to a triple-double and explained why he didn’t mind Walsh grabbing the board. It wasn’t that he didn’t do it want the triple double. It’s just that he didn’t believe in pursuing stats just to accomplish the feat.

“I didn’t tell him but after hearing the reaction from the fans it’s very easy to see at the top of the scoreboard – you can hear the gasps,” Pritchard said. “But I’ve said this before, I don’t want to chase it because it doesn’t feel like a real achievement. You want to achieve it naturally in the flow of the game. Hopefully I’ll get another opportunity and get it.”

What came more naturally to Pritchard was his encouragement of teammate Jaylen Brown’s defense. Brown scored a season-high 44 points in that game, but also made four steals.

Pritchard chimed in with unprompted praise after Brown answered a question about the thefts.

“To be honest with what he’s capable of at his size, you don’t see a lot of guys standing all over the court like that, guarding the best guards in the world,” Pritchard said. “Normally someone his size would be guarding a wing, but he takes on the best point guards in the world all over the field and then scores 25 (points). People really don’t understand how difficult this really is.”

“They overestimate what it will take,” he added. “He should definitely be in the All-Defensive team category because we give him the toughest assignments. It’s a tiring thing and he creates havoc every night and makes it difficult. You definitely need to pay attention.”

Pritchard nodded as he finished his comments, and Brown turned to him with a wide grin.

“Man, appreciate you bro,” Brown said as the pair clapped their hands.

At the start of the conversation, Brown and Pritchard were asked about their goals for the new year. Brown said his two goals are to continue his leadership on defense and continue to empower teammates like Pritchard.

“I’m just going to come out and make sure our guys are ready to go,” Brown said. “Strengthening the boys and continuing to give our team confidence. I think we are only as strong as each limb. So we’re giving the boys the opportunity to continue their great play.”

“It would mean a lot to the team to help Payton win Sixth Man of the Year,” he added. “So, I continue to strengthen everyone on our team, give them confidence and also lead us on defense by getting guys all over the court, whatever I need to do, getting steals, being active. When our team is at its best, our boys are at their best and can give their all in defense.”

Khari A. Thompson

Sports reporter

Khari Thompson covers professional sports for Boston.com. Before joining the team in 2022, Khari covered college football for The Clarion Ledger in Jackson, Miss.