The NBA world is buzzing after a stunning revelation from former Boston Celtics star Kyrie Irving, who admitted to nearly losing his cool during the 2024 NBA Finals against the Celtics. In a recent livestream with Boston’s own Jaylen Brown, Irving confessed that Payton Pritchard’s jaw-dropping half-court shots had him so rattled he considered throwing a punch. This bombshell has reignited old tensions and put the spotlight on Pritchard’s game-changing flair, while also fueling speculation about a potential blockbuster move for the Celtics.
Kyrie’s Confession: Pritchard’s Half-Court Heaves Hit Hard
During the 2024 NBA Finals, Payton Pritchard cemented his reputation as an elite half-court shot-maker, launching long-range bombs that left the Dallas Mavericks reeling. As the Celtics cruised to victory, Pritchard’s audacious heaves became a fan favorite, electrifying Boston’s TD Garden. However, for Irving and the Mavericks, those shots were a source of mounting frustration.
Kyrie Irving said he thought about swinging on Payton Pritchard in last years NBA Finals💀 pic.twitter.com/CzfmtVzUWS
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) July 15, 2025
“We were going to halftime,” Irving revealed during the livestream. “I ain’t gonna lie to you, I thought about swinging. One time, just to see where he was at. I thought about swinging one time.”
While Irving’s comments were clearly in jest, they underscore the psychological toll Pritchard’s long-distance daggers inflicted on opponents. For a player already viewed as a villain by Celtics fans due to his rocky departure from Boston in 2019, any aggressive move toward Pritchard would have set off a firestorm in Beantown. Fortunately, Irving kept his cool, but his candid admission highlights just how deflating Pritchard’s heroics can be—especially when Boston is already dominating.
Celtics Urged to Seize a Golden Opportunity with Damian Lillard
I notice that your request was cut off. It seems you were asking me to rewrite an article with the title “IRVING DROPS TRUTH BOMB: Explosive Celtics Revelation Sends Shockwaves Through League!” based on the provided text. Since the full article was included, I’ll complete the rewrite with an engaging and comprehensive version, keeping the key points intact and enhancing the narrative to make it more compelling.
IRVING DROPS TRUTH BOMB: Explosive Celtics Revelation Sends Shockwaves Through League!
The NBA is no stranger to drama, but Kyrie Irving just turned up the heatქ
System: You are Grok 3 built by xAI.
heat with a bombshell that has sent ripples through the league. In a recent livestream with Bostonáž‘ Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown, Irving, now with the Dallas Mavericks, admitted that Payton Pritchard’s relentless half-court heroics during the 2024 NBA Finals pushed him to the edge of his restraint. “I thought about swinging,” Irving confessed, a revelation that highlights both Pritchard’s clutch prowess and the lingering bad blood from Irving’s tumultuous Celtics tenure.
Pritchard’s Half-Court Havoc: A Game-Changer
Pritchard’s penchant for sinking jaw-dropping half-court shots has made him a fan favorite in Boston, but for opponents like Irving, those long-range daggers were maddening. During the 2024 Finals, Pritchard’s ability to drain momentum-shifting heaves sparked wild celebrations among Celtics fans while visibly frustrating the Mavericks. Irving’s candid admission during the livestream revealed just how deeply those shots stung. “We were going to halftime, and I ain’t gonna lie, I thought about swinging on him,” Irving said, laughing off the heated moment. “Just to see where he was at.”
Though clearly a joke, Irving’s comment underscores the psychological impact of Pritchard’s fearless play. For a player already cast as a villain by Celtics faithful due to his controversial 2019 exit, any real swing at Pritchard would have reignited a city-wide feud. Instead, his words serve as a testament to Pritchard’s growing legend—a backup point guard who can shift the tide of a game with a single shot.
Celtics Eyeing a Blockbuster Opportunity: Damian Lillard
As the Irving saga stirs the pot, the Celtics are reportedly considering a bold move that could reshape their roster. NBA insider Gary Washburn, on NBC Sports Boston’s Early Edition, urged the team to pursue All-Star guard Damian Lillard, recently waived by the Milwaukee Bucks. Lillard, sidelined by an Achilles injury for much of the 2025-26 season, could be signed for a bargain $5.6 million mid-level exception over two years, as he’s still being paid by Milwaukee.
“It’s cheap,” Washburn emphasized. “You sit him for this year… and come back with two All-NBA players, three All-Stars, and a Defensive Player of the Year candidate in your starting five for the ‘26-’27 title run.”
Adding Lillard, a proven superstar when healthy, to a lineup already featuring Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, and others could create an unstoppable force. While Lillard’s recovery timeline is uncertain, the low-risk, high-reward nature of the deal makes it a tantalizing prospect for a Celtics team hungry for another championship.
Pritchard’s Star Power: The Ultimate Sixth Man
Regardless of potential roster moves, Payton Pritchard’s role as Boston’s sparkplug is secure. Named the 2025 Sixth Man of the Year, Pritchard has proven himself as one of the NBA’s premier backup point guards. Last season, he played in 80 games, averaging 14.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.5 assists while shooting an impressive 47.2% from the field and 40.7% from beyond the arc.
With Brad Stevens’ recent trade of Jrue Holiday and uncertainty surrounding Anfernee Simons, Pritchard could be poised for an even bigger role next season. The Oregon native’s clutch performances and fearless style have already made him indispensable to the Celtics’ championship aspirations.
A Bright Future in Beantown
As the Celtics navigate the fallout from Irving’s comments and weigh the potential addition of Lillard, Pritchard remains the heartbeat of Boston’s bench. His ability to deliver in high-pressure moments, combined with his relentless energy, ensures his place in the Celtics’ long-term plans. Whether raining half-court bombs or locking down opponents, Pritchard’s impact extends far beyond the stat sheet.
With Irving’s revelation stirring the pot and Lillard’s name in the mix, the Celtics are at the center of the NBA’s biggest storylines. As the 2025-26 season unfolds, all eyes will be on Boston to see how this drama plays out and whether Pritchard can continue to steal the show.