With Jaylen Brown sidelined with back spasms on Monday night, Payton Pritchard took on a leading role on Monday night against the Pacers.
Pritchard led the way for the undermanned Celtics, finishing with a game-high 23 points, which makes him Monday’s “Name to Know” Player of the Game. The Name to Know Player of the Game is [sponsored by John’s Sewer and Drain Cleaning, the Name to Know when your drains don’t flow](https://johnsewer.com/?utm_source=mlm&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=mlm_local_site_articlesponsor_celtics_playerofgame&utm_content=celtics).
The Celtics guard was a bright spot in another challenging night for Boston’s offense, which mustered just 40 second half points for the second straight game. Pritchard helped lead a fourth quarter rally as Boston fought back from an eight-point deficit with eight minutes remaining in regulation to tie up the game with 29.1 seconds left.
Pritchard served as both a scorer and creator during this stretch as he also added a team-high eight assists in his 23 minutes. He shot 10-of-22 from the field and 3-of-7 from 3-point range, the lone bright spot from beyond the arc as the visitors shot just 26 percent (9-of-35) from 3-point range.
The 27-year-old guard also continued his stretch of nearly mistake-free play as a ball handler, tallying zero turnovers for the second straight game. He’s only turned the ball over three times in seven games for Boston in January.
Pritchard should get some more help on Thursday night with Jaylen Brown likely set to return to the lineup as Boston continues their road trip against the Heat in Miami.