Payton Pritchard Explodes For 33 Points, 10 Assists As Celtics Beat Raptors
The Boston Celtics won the second leg of a back-to-back on Saturday night by overcoming the Toronto Raptors on the road, 112-96. Boston is now 17-11 on the season and reclaimed the No. 3 spot in the Eastern Conference as the final whistle sounded at Scotiabank Arena.
Jaylen Brown was out for the Celtics (illness), but Payton Pritchard more than made up for it. The reigning Sixth Man of the Year dropped MVP-type numbers on the Raptors: 33 points, 10 assists (to just one turnover!), and seven rebounds.
Pritchard was an efficient 13-of-24 from the field and 4-of-9 from three.
Pritchard is now averaging 17.0 points, 5.2 assists and 4.4 rebounds per game in 28 games in 2025-26. He’s routinely produced this season when either Derrick White or Brown are not playing, showing that he’s capable of upping his numbers virtually whenever the team needs him to.
White and Anfernee Simons backed up Pritchard’s big night with 15 points apiece against the Raptors (Simons off the bench). Other notable bench contributors for the Celtics were Luka Garza (12 points, 10 rebounds) and Hugo González (10 points, 10 rebounds).
Next up for the Celtics: Monday at home against the Indiana Pacers.