The Boston Celtics have had a phenomenal regular season as defending champions in the 2024-25 season. While they couldn't secure the No. 1 seed, they still picked up 61 wins and are still considered the favorites to win the Eastern Conference Playoffs. This confidence is fair, given their dominance last season and the continued rise of players in their rotation.
One of the biggest improvements for the Celtics this season has been Payton Pritchard's undeniable production as the team's Sixth Man. With career highs across the board while coming off the bench, Pritchard believes he has earned the Sixth Man of the Year award.
“I put myself in the best situation possible to win it, and so I'm proud of that. I feel like I've done my job as far as helping this team by coming off the bench and adding a spark and being the best bench player in the league. If I get voted for it, it's an unbelievable award and would be a great honor. But at the end of the day, it's out of my control if they vote for me or not. We'll see, though.”
Pritchard averaged 14.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.5 assists while shooting 40.7% from three-point range. He's the Celtics' leader in three-point makes, and his contributions off the bench have been incredibly useful to the team.
His biggest competitors for Sixth Man of the Year have compelling cases, but it's hard to see how they deserve it more than Pritchard.
Malik Beasley started only 18 games for the Detroit Pistons this season but was one three-pointer away from ending the season as the league leader in made three-pointers. He's averaged 16.3 points this season and has better counting stats than Pritchard, but his role as a sixth man hasn't been as defined as Pritchard's.
Last year's winner Naz Reid is averaging 14.2 points and 6.0 rebounds, returning as a contender this season. However, the Minnesota Timberwolves simply don't have the winning results like they did last season to justify Reid winning it, and he also started 17 games. Pritchard was a much-needed sixth man on the Celtics' quest to cross 60 wins for the second-straight season.
Finally, two Cleveland Cavaliers players are in the running with Ty Jerome and De'Andre Hunter. Jerome averaged 12.5 points this season while playing 67 games off the bench. The winning argument might favor him even more, but Pritchard's production has been unquestionably better.
Hunter was considered the favorite for the award at one point in this season, but his numbers dropped off dramatically after he joined the Cavs at the deadline. He's averaging 17.0 points and 4.0 rebounds with 55 games off the bench this season. His production fall-off after joining the Cavs has hurt his chances.
It'll be a close fight, but it seems like this is the year Pritchard wins it. He played 77 games off the bench, more than any of his aforementioned competitors, while maintaining high production on a 60-win team.
