From Benchwarmer to Boston Legend: How Payton Pritchard Became the NBA’s Most Clutch Shooter
In a stunning display of precision shooting, Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard cemented his legacy during the 2024 NBA Finals with back-to-back buzzer-beaters that broke Dallas Mavericks’ hearts and set new championship records. The 26-year-old Oregon product delivered two of the most iconic shots in recent NBA history during Boston’s title run:
- 34-foot dagger to end Game 2’s third quarter (June 9)
- 50-foot halftime buzzer-beater in series-clinching Game 5 (June 17)
According to NBA tracking data, Pritchard’s Game 5 heave stands as the longest made basket in Finals history since 1997, capping off a career-defining season where he:
| Achievement | Statistic |
|---|---|
| Career-high points | 38 points vs Wizards (April 2024) |
| Season consistency | Only Celtic to play all 82 games |
| Contract value | $30M/4yr extension signed October 2023 |
“These moments validate all the late-night gym sessions,” Pritchard told reporters after Game 5. His shooting splits tell the story of a player peaking at the perfect time:
2023-24 Regular Season:
• 46.8% FG | 38.5% 3PT | 82.1% FT
• 9.6 PPG | 3.4 APG | Career-high 3.2 RPG
The Celtics’ decision to lock down Pritchard with a $30 million extension before the season now looks prophetic. His $6.7M salary for 2024-25 ranks among the league’s most team-friendly contracts for a championship contributor.
“Payton’s evolution from trade candidate to cornerstone proves why we invest in development,” said Celtics GM Brad Stevens following the championship parade.
With career averages of 8.6 PPG and 39.9% from deep, Pritchard’s emergence as Boston’s X-factor creates fascinating questions about his future role. As the Celtics prepare to defend their title, all eyes will be on whether this clutch shooter can maintain his historic momentum.
