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Pritchard Scores 42 to Lift Shorthanded Celtics Past Cavs, Raising Rotation Questions

Coach Joe Mazzulla praised his aggressiveness as Boston evaluates its backcourt alignment with Derrick White sidelined.

Overview

  • The guard powered a 117-115 road win in Cleveland on Nov. 30 with 42 points on 15-of-22 shooting and 6-of-11 from three.
  • He drilled a three at the 8-second mark, becoming just the fifth Celtic in the play-by-play era to hit a triple inside the first 10 seconds.
  • Boston moved to 11-9 as Pritchard continued in a starting role earned after Jrue Holiday’s departure and Jayson Tatum’s Achilles injury reshaped responsibilities.
  • Mazzulla lauded Pritchard’s mindset and resilience after the performance, which came with Derrick White out due to a calf contusion.
  • Local media are weighing whether to return him to a sixth-man role and start Anfernee Simons, even as Pritchard averages about 16.2 points, 4.4 rebounds and 4.9 assists on 43.9% shooting this season.