Boston Celtics Payton Pritchard scored 92 points in a Portland Pro-Am game to help his team win 165-163. He battled with Brooklyn Nets guard, Mike James, who put up 63 points of his own.
The Oregon native made the most of his opportunity to play in his hometown. He showed off his offensive skills in a variety of ways. The young guard was able to blow by his defenders with ease and hit tough contested three-pointers. He even drained a half-court three to show off his deep range.
Pritchard is having himself quite a summer of basketball performances. Yesterday’s 92 point performance is following a great NBA Summer League outing. The C’s guard scored 20.3 points per game on an absurd 57.7% from three-point range, before leaving due to personal reasons.
Although this is a step down from NBA competition, Pritchard is showing great improvement heading into the season. He was already a marksman from deep, shooting 41.1% on 2.6 attempts per game, but his improved playmaking will be his most important step forward. He averaged 8.7 assists through three summer league games.
Boston finished 24th in the league in assists per game last season and Pritchard might be able to help fill this team need. Ime Udoka has already stressed the importance of improving the Celtics assist numbers and Pritchard might be the key to it. If the Oregon product can continue playing with this confidence during the season, he will undoubtedly lessen the offensive load for Tatum and Brown and earn himself important minutes.
(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)