Payton Pritchard backs Joe Mazzulla despite award dismissal

Apr 5, 2026 2:31 PM

Joe Mazzulla may have recently called Coach of the Year a “stupid award,” but point guard Payton Pritchard believes he’s worthy of the honor, Adam Himmelsbach of The Boston Globe writes.

The Boston Celtics head coach is viewed as one of the top contenders for the award, along with the Detroit Pistons tactician J.B. Bickerstaff.

“He’s a competitor, and he focuses on how this team is going to get better and better,” Pritchard said.

“He changed some things up this year as far as film sessions. He went to more, instead of a dictatorship, like a classroom setting where we’re just going to learn through all the ups and downs in that setting.”