It’s hard to say what, exactly, happens with Celtics sixth man Payton Pritchard when he sees Reggie Miller broadcasting courtside, but there’s no doubt that it sparks him. And on Sunday night in Philadelphia, with the Sixers getting star center Joel Embiid back and control of the series on the line, the home team could not have been happy that Miller was in the building, as an analyst for NBC.
That was, apparently, enough to spark Pritchard, who poured in 32 points with five assists, shooting 12-for-21 from the field and 6-for-12 from the 3-point line as the Celtics took a 3-1 lead with a 128-96 drubbing of Philadelphia. And with big shot after big shot, Pritchard routinely turned to look courtside and talk a bit of trash to Miller.
Said Pritchard on the NBC broadcast: “I like looking at Reggie. That’s my man. So, we have gone through a lot this year, some criticism and stuff like that, but that’s my guy. We always have a friendly banter.”
The Genesis: A Comparison That Stuck
The genesis of their interaction came back in late January when Miller was asked on a broadcast to compare WNBA star Caitlin Clark’s game to an NBA player, and Miller said, “I like Payton Pritchard from Boston, the way he’s able to handle the basketball. He makes good shots when the shot clock’s running down. A lot like this young lady right here.”
It was actually Clark who was supposed to be offended by the comment — most would compare her to, say, Stephen Curry or Luka Doncic. Her rather outspoken fans were not happy with Miller’s comment.
For whatever reason, though, it has fueled Pritchard, too. On February 22, when the Celtics were in Los Angeles, Miller was broadcasting and even then, Pritchard was turning and shouting at him after making big shots.
Pritchard had 30 points on 10-for-14 shooting in that game.
Miller’s Response: “I Introduced Him to America”
Miller said on Sunday, “That’s my guy. I love my guy. We’ve been through a lot together. And I respect this man. He’s a baller, he’s a gamer. I don’t know what the controversy ever was. People just didn’t know who he was. I introduced him to America.”
The comment is classic Reggie — a bit of revisionist history wrapped in genuine admiration. But there is no denying that Pritchard has played with a chip on his shoulder ever since.
Celtics Take Command of Series
Pritchard was not alone in giving the Celtics a spectacular, efficient game performance on Sunday. Jayson Tatum also looked to be in peak form, scoring 30 points on just 16 field-goal attempts, adding 11 assists and seven rebounds. Jaylen Brown had 20 points, though he was just 6-for-15 on the night.
Tatum’s 30 points, 11 assists, and 7 rebounds marked his second consecutive double-double and his third of the series. He looked fully recovered from the Achilles injury that sidelined him for nearly 10 months.
Embiid’s Return Falls Flat
The Sixers had hoped that a steady march back into this first-round series in the East would be sparked by the return of Embiid, who was very good — statistically, at least — in his return from an emergency appendectomy on April 9. He finished with 26 points, 10 rebounds and six assists, but was just 9-for-21 shooting and was a minus-25 in the box score.
Embiid’s return was not enough. The Celtics attacked him on defense, forced him to move laterally, and exploited the rust. He turned the ball over five times and struggled to protect the rim.
Payton Pritchard ‘Getting Downhill’ for Celtics
Pritchard also said that he has been more consciously aggressive for the Celtics in the last two wins, with 45 points combined in Games 3 and 4. He had 16 in Games 1 and 2.
Said Pritchard: “Trying to change the energy, change the pace of the game. The first two games, I didn’t like how I was attacking the paint so these last two games I feel like I had to be more aggressive getting downhill, and that just kind of opened up everything for me, and then the 3-ball started going. So, it was good.”
The Verdict: One Win Away
The Celtics are one win away from advancing to the second round. They have home-court advantage. They have momentum. They have a healthy Tatum.
And they have Payton Pritchard, who has found his motivation in the most unlikely of places: a Hall of Fame sharpshooter sitting courtside.
Game 5 is Tuesday in Boston. The Celtics can close it out at home.
If they do, they will be one step closer to the ultimate goal: Banner 19.
And Pritchard will have Reggie Miller to thank for the spark.