Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard has gained the NBA’s Sixth Man Of The 12 months award. It additionally now referred to as the John Havlicek trophy.
Pritchard averaged a career-high 14.3 factors, 3.8 rebounds, and three.5 assists in simply over 28 minutes per recreation.
His 1,079 factors have been essentially the most by any participant off the bench and he additionally made 255 three-pointers, fifth-most within the league.
In voting outcomes, Pritchard secured 82 of 100 first-place votes to cruise to the award. He was anticipated to have stiff competitors from Detroit Pistons guard Malik Beasley, however he completed with 13 first-place votes and 66 second-place votes.
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Ty Jerome completed third, adopted by teammate De’Andre Hunter and Minnesota Timberwolves ahead Naz Reid. Reid was the winner of final yr’s award.
Others receiving votes have been Minnesota’s Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook, and Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder guard Alex Caruso.
Eligibility for the award is set by coming off the bench extra typically than beginning.
Pritchard will seemingly obtain the award earlier than Sport 2 in opposition to the Orlando Magic on Wednesday. He had 19 factors on 6-of-8 capturing together with 4-of-6 from deep in 25 minutes in Sport 1.
Inside The NBA Crew Chimes In On Pritchard
TNT’s Inside The NBA crew was on air as the choice was introduced and had nothing however good issues to say about Pritchard.
“What’s actually cool about that state of affairs, like, he constructed his recreation,” Charles Barkley mentioned. “He constructed his recreation, he made himself a hell of a participant. You already know quite a lot of guys are available, they bought quite a lot of hype and every little thing however that child made himself a terrific NBA participant.
“You’re completely happy to see guys win awards like that.”
Pritchard Provides To Celtics’ Historical past With Sixth Man Award
By successful the award, Pritchard grew to become the fourth participant to earn the award as a member of the Celtics.
Kevin McHale gained the award in back-to-back seasons in 1983-84 and ’84-85. Invoice Walton then adopted that up by successful it in ’85-86.
Malcolm Brogdon then snapped a barren streak by successful the award in 2022-23.
