Boston Celtics backup point guard Peyton Pritchard was named the 2025 Sixth Man of the Year on Tuesday night. He becomes the fourth-ever member of the Celtics organization to win this award, joining Kevin McHale, Bill Walton, and Malcolm Brogdon, who was named the Sixth Man of the Year in 2023.
“A lot of people in the Celtics organization, obviously, John Havlicek being named after [the award]. Kevin McHale. Obviously, a couple of other guys. Malcolm Brogden, when I was here with him. I watched him win it,” Pritchard said during an interview with Inside the NBA. “It’s definitely an honor.”
First-place votes for the award are worth five points, while second-place votes are worth three points, followed by third-place votes, which are worth one point apiece. Pritchard tallied 454 total points, 175 more than the second-place finisher, Malik Beasley.
“It’s a learning curve coming from college [where] everything is run through me,” he explained. “Coming here, playing with a lot of stars. It’s definitely a feel. I feel like I’m still getting better at it.”
NO DOUBT ABOUT IT ☘️
Congrats, @paytonpritch3 pic.twitter.com/aTKjFYnU3A
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) April 22, 2025
Pritchard earned 82 of 100 first-place votes for the award. Other players who received first-place votes include the Detroit Pistons’ Malik Beasley (13), the Cleveland Cavaliers’ Ty Jerome (two) and De’Andre Hunter (two), and the Minnesota Timberwolves’ Naz Reid (one), who won the award last year.
“I gotta give credit to my player development coach, Craig (Luschenat),” Pritchard said. “He just knew the shooter that I was capable of being. He had an emphasis on every time I got an opening, I gotta let it fly.”
Pritchard averaged a career-high 14.3 points per game this season while also tallying 3.8 rebounds and 3.5 assists, which are also career-highs for the fifth-year guard. His 255 made three-pointers coming off the bench represent an NBA single-season record.
“Payton is one of the most dedicated players I’ve ever been around,” said Brad Stevens, the Celtics’ president of Basketball Operations. “He truly loves the game and is committed to the work that goes into being great. In addition, he’s driven by winning and doing whatever it takes to help the team. Payton is a baller – and his teammates know what they are getting every single day in terms of effort, care, and commitment. For him to be honored with the award named after the great John Havlicek is a credit to all that he brings to the table for our team.”
