Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard described the team’s early training camp sessions as “a war,” emphasizing how physical and competitive practices have become ahead of the 2025–26 season.
Speaking to reporters, Pritchard said the Celtics are setting a new tone defensively. “It’s just competing at a very high level, especially in practice,” he said. “For every person, defensively you can impact the game in different ways. For me, it’s not going to be by blocking shots necessarily, but it can be from having active hands, getting steals, being a pest.”
Boston’s revamped roster features new faces after several offseason changes, including the departure of elite defenders like Jrue Holiday. Pritchard said he’s ready to take on greater defensive responsibility. “I would love that,” he said. “To be considered a two-way player is definitely huge. I would love to have that label and I definitely work for it.”
The Celtics are implementing a more aggressive defensive system this fall. “It’s just being more aggressive defensively, picking up more,” Pritchard said. “It’s more of a full team effort to emphasize ball pressure, picking up full court, and picking up the pace.”
He added that the physical intensity of practices has reached a new level. “It’s been very physical. It’s definitely been a war out there,” Pritchard said. “I’m tired, but it’s good to push the body to these limits to get ready for the season.”
The guard said the approach is meant to mirror playoff basketball. “You see teams who win the championship get away with a lot of hands, fouls, physicality,” he said. “In the playoffs, the NBA allows a lot more physicality, so you’ve got to learn to play through it.”
Pritchard also noted a shift from the team’s past defensive mindset. “Before, we were playing more of a safe defense—switching, living with contested shots, not fouling,” he said. “That’s kind of changed. The NBA evolves every year, so you’ve got to change your game with it.”
Entering his sixth season, Pritchard said his mentality remains unchanged. “Same me, same person that came in here hungry, motivated, and ready to take another step and help winning at the highest level,” he said.
With Jayson Tatum recovering from Achilles injury and a deeper supporting cast around Jaylen Brown and Derrick White, Pritchard said every player’s contribution will matter. “We’re going to need everybody,” he said. “Sam, Neemias, Anthony—each of us will have games where we win it.”
