Payton Pritchard details a mindset shift that propelled him to Sixth Man of the Year (frontrunner)

BOSTON — Nearly every game this season, Payton Pritchard has checked in at the six-minute mark of the first quarter.

The jolt that he provided the Celtics midway through the opening period salvaged plenty slow starts, and massively propelled his Sixth Man of the Year candidacy.

But in the opening game of the NBA playoffs against the Orlando Magic, Pritchard wasn’t in the initial group of Celtics players to check into the game off the bench — Al Horford, Luke Kornet, and Sam Hauser all subbed in, but Pritchard sat idly by.

In the past, that substitution pattern might have frustrated the 6’1 guard, who famously requested a trade after falling out of the rotation in the 2022-23 season.

And, he admitted as such at the Celtics practice on Tuesday.

“This whole year, you’ve been coming off the bench around the six-minute mark, and then you don’t go into the game at the end of the first — you don’t go into the game knowing when you’re gonna go in or anything,” Pritchard said. “As a young player, you might mentally get frustrated. You might be like, ‘Oh, I’m not playing as much tonight.’”

But, a big part of what’s allowed Pritchard to take that next leap is his mental growth. Rather than get antsy on the bench, he decided this year that he’d maximize his impact whenever he does check in.

He hit a three almost immediately after checking in.

Then, with the Celtics’ offense stalling, he exploded for 11 quick points in his first three minutes in the game, and finished with 19 points (on 6-8 shooting) and 3 assists (with no turnovers) in the 17-point Game 1 victory.

“I’m just in the state of mind that it doesn’t matter where you put me in,” he said. “Like, if I’m gonna have to sit out the whole first quarter, and you think that’s what’s best for the team, and I start the second quarter, I’m gonna come out in the second quarter and give you everything I got. It’s just staying in that mindset and not allowing myself to get frustrated over anything. It’s just being ready for your moment.”

The NBA will announce the Sixth Man of the Year winner on Tuesday night — and Al Horford has no doubt it will be Payton Pritchard

At practice on Tuesday, Al Horford lit up when asked about the looming Sixth Man of the Year announcement.

“I don’t think it’s any secret,” Horford said. “I don’t want to jump the gun, but I’m just very, very happy for Payton.“

Horford acknowledged the announcement wasn’t yet official, but nonetheless praised the backup point guard for his impact this season.

“I‘m just so proud of Payton and and the job that he’s done — just his consistency with his work ethic and how hard he works, how he’s taking care of his body, how he took the challenge on this year, and trying to take his game to another level, not only on the offensive end, but defensively,” Horford said. “It’s remarkable to see.”

Horford also praised Pritchard’s reluctance to chase records or maximize his scoring in many games this past season.

“You can see the film,” Horford said. “He’s making the right play after right play in different moments. Instead of going for him, he’s making an extra pass because it’s the right thing to do. He’s passing up a three and getting a two when he has a chance to break a three-point record. He plays the right way, and I’m just so impressed how he’s been able to handle everything and how he gets himself ready to compete at that level.”

Like all NBA players, Pritchard has spent the majority of his basketball career starting. Sitting for nearly the entire first quarter is an adjustment.

But, it’s not going to throw him off his game.

“Obviously, you’re gonna be a little cold,” Pritchard said. “You do your jumps, run around, and try to stay warm. But it’s just being mentally prepared for your moment, and never looking back.”

Payton Pritchard will officially find out if he’s the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year on Tuesday night at 7pm ET.