ATLANTA — Reserve guard Payton Pritchard poured in 36 points Friday night, helping the Boston Celtics erase a 16-point hole and defeat the Hawks, 109-102. Despite Jaylen Brown’s absence with Achilles tendinitis, coach Joe Mazzulla kept Pritchard in his customary bench role, a switch the club adopted in early February.
“I don’t think my role changed from any other night,” Pritchard said. “Just come out being aggressive, looking to make plays for my teammates or for myself, and just make the right reads.”
Mazzulla highlighted Pritchard’s effort plays, singling out an offensive rebound with a little more than three minutes remaining after Atlanta had trimmed the margin to four. “He’s not defined by scoring, so that helps us a lot when he does other things,” the coach noted.
Brown Listed as Questionable for Sunday
Mazzulla told reporters Brown should be considered day-to-day. The All-Star guard received treatment earlier Friday before the medical staff recommended keeping him out. “He was just a little banged up after Wednesday’s game,” Mazzulla said. Brown is questionable for Sunday’s matchup in Charlotte.
Scheierman Emerges as Surprise Contributor
Second-year guard Baylor Scheierman has been Boston’s most unexpected bright spot, shooting 45.3 percent from the field and 38.5 percent from three-point range after struggling in limited minutes as a rookie.
Tatum Admits He Still Feels Rusty
Jayson Tatum finished with 26 points, 12 rebounds and five assists against the Hawks but said his comeback is progressing more slowly than he hoped. “I feel rusty,” Tatum acknowledged. “Obviously, you probably can see the moments when it doesn’t look the same or I look rusty, but the mindset is on to the next play. I’m thankful I’ve got teammates and a coaching staff that are patient with me as I’m trying to figure it out.”
Source: HoopsRumors
