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Payton Pritchard had a topsy-turvy ride in Game 1 of the 2022 Eastern Conference finals. While the Boston Celtics guard mustered 18 points off the bench for a productive offensive night, he was repeatedly taken to the woodshed by Jimmy Butler and company on the other end of the floor in a 118-107 loss. The second half was an especially frustrating stretch for the Celtics, which got Marcus Smart delivering a strong message to the team, as revealed by Pritchard following the contest.
Via Keith Smith:
Payton Pritchard on Marcus Smart talking to him and the team int he second half: “Just have heart. He was telling us to compete. To get after it. We were kind of playing soft there for a bit.”
Pritchard played 30 minutes in the series opener, thanks to Smart's absence. Smart sat out Game 1 with a right mid-foot sprain, leaving a gaping hole on Boston's defense. Pritchard's playing time got a big uptick as a result, but he certainly was not able to provide what Smart usually does: a disruptive defensive presence.
The Celtics will look to recover from that loss, while also hoping that Smart will be out there in Game 2 to fortify Boston's defense. Jimmy Butler had a field day carving up Pritchard and whoever it was the Celtics put on him in Game 1, but that likely wouldn't be as much of a case again in Game 2 if Smart returns.
