Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard credited Blake Griffin for helping him navigate his most challenging NBA season. Pritchard described Griffin as a constant source of support and mentorship, even when playing limited minutes.
“That year was hard, man. I wasn’t playing. Just sitting on the bench, trying to stay ready,” Pritchard said on the White Noise Podcast w/ Derrick White, via HoopsHype. “Blake — man, he was everything. He made sure I was good. That taught me something.”
Griffin, a veteran who has experienced the full spotlight of the NBA, spent much of that season coming off the bench but continued to lead by example. Pritchard noted Griffin’s ability to remain present, positive, and communicative despite his reduced role.
The mentorship left a lasting impression. Pritchard said it shaped how he wants to help younger players when he becomes a veteran, emphasizing the value of leadership beyond scoring.
Pritchard’s own career took a significant step forward during the 2024–25 season. On March 5, he scored a career-high 43 points with 10 rebounds and five assists against the Portland Trail Blazers. He and Derrick White became the first Celtics teammates to score 40+ points in the same game and make nine or more three-pointers each.
He also set an NBA record for season three-pointers made off the bench with 219 and contributed to the Celtics setting a new team record for most three-pointers in a season. Pritchard averaged 14.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.5 assists over 80 games, demonstrating his growth as a reliable scorer and playmaker.
His contributions earned him the 2025 NBA Sixth Man of the Year award, receiving 82 of 100 first-place votes and appearing on every ballot. He also received votes for Most Improved Player, highlighting his progress from a bench player to a critical contributor.
Reflecting on his journey, Pritchard emphasized that Griffin’s mentorship went beyond points or minutes. “It’s not the points — the presence,” he said. “He helped me survive a hard season, and he didn’t have to. That’s star stuff right there.”
