Celtics make history with fifth sixth crown

The NBA’s awards season has officially begun, and first to receive recognition in 2024-25 is Payton Pritchard. The Boston Celtics guard has been crowned Sixth Man of the Year, cementing his place as one of the league’s premier bench contributors after delivering a career-best campaign.

Appearing in 80 games, with just three starts, Pritchard averaged 14.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game. He shot 47% from the field and over 40% from three-point range, anchoring the Celtics’ second unit while providing critical scoring bursts for the defending NBA champions.

Under the guidance of Joe Mazzulla, Pritchard saw his role expand to over 28 minutes per night, contributing consistently to Boston’s 61-21 regular-season record – the second consecutive year the Celtics surpassed 60 wins and locked down the second seed in the East.

Celtics tie Clippers for most Sixth Man awards

Pritchard’s accolade adds another chapter to the Celtics’ storied history. With five Sixth Man trophies, Boston now matches the Los Angeles Clippers as the franchises with the most winners in this category. Furthermore, the Celtics join the Phoenix Suns as the teams with the most unique winners of the award.

The Celtics’ rich legacy in this category began when Kevin McHale captured back-to-back Sixth Man honors in the mid-1980s, followed by Bill Walton, who claimed the title in 1986 as a final flourish to his illustrious career. More recently, Malcolm Brogdon won the award in 2023, before Pritchard carried the torch in 2025.

Career year capped by standout performances

This season marked Pritchard’s most prolific as a professional. For the first time, he averaged over 10 points per game, finishing with more than 1,000 points and 600 three-pointers – staggering production for a bench player.

Pritchard’s signature performance came on March 5 against the Portland Trail Blazers, when he erupted for a career-high 43 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists, hitting 10 of 16 three-pointers in a dazzling display. He followed that with another stellar night on April 13 against the Charlotte Hornets, scoring 34 points alongside 7 rebounds and 7 assists.

In total, Pritchard hit double figures in 29 games and scored 20 or more points in 22 contests, underlining his importance as a game-changer off the bench for the Celtics.

Awards season continues with MVP and more

With the Sixth Man award handed out, the NBA will soon announce the rest of its individual honors, including Most Improved Player, Coach of the Year, Executive of the Year, Rookie of the Year, and the coveted MVP.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokic, and Giannis Antetokounmpo are the finalists for Most Valuable Player, with the Oklahoma City guard the odds-on favorite. Additionally, the All-NBA Teams and All-Defensive Teams are set to be revealed, with Boston’s Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown expected to feature prominently.

The Celtics, meanwhile, continue their title defense, having opened their first-round playoff series against the Orlando Magic with a victory. After six different champions in the last six years, Boston is favored to repeat if they can fend off Cleveland in the East and the Thunder in the West. They’ll look to emulate last year’s dominant 16-3 postseason run, which delivered their record-breaking 18th NBA title, surpassing the Los Angeles Lakers in their historic rivalry.

In that quest, Payton Pritchard will remain a key contributor, having etched his name alongside Boston’s legends as the 2024-25 Sixth Man of the Year.

Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.

Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.