Celtics’ Payton Pritchard named 2024-25 NBA Sixth Man of the Year

The NBA has officially announced its first award of the season: the Sixth Man of the Year. Payton Pritchard of the Boston Celtics has been named the winner.

Related: Watch: Fan shares funny video of Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla

Pritchard had a great season coming off the bench for Boston. He averaged 14.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and seemed to make all of the hustle plays for his team.

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After winning a championship last season, adding the Sixth Man of the Year trophy to his mantle will be a nice touch. Pritchard spoke about what winning the award means to him.

“I feel like every year, you get a little bit better,” Pritchard said. “So I hope that… I’ve gotten better than I was last year. So if that means I’m stronger, more in shape, better basketball IQ.

“I’ve just been through it now, so I understand what it takes and what this team needs. I’m not saying it’s going to be scoring every night, but just this level of physicality, picking up the ball. This intensity, that’s what needs to be there every night.”

Pritchard’s improvement is undeniable, and his performance has positioned the Celtics for another shot at the title.

Congratulations from the Ball Exclusives team.

About the Author Published Apr 22, 2025

TITAN FREY

Titan Frey is a dedicated father to three wonderful children, whom he takes immense pride in. His passions include reading, writing, basketball, both playing and watching, and playing chess. Titan spent five years working as a journalist for the basketball website fadeawayworld.net, where he served as editor-in-chief for four and a half years. One of his most notable achievements was interviewing Chuck Cooper III, the son of Chuck Cooper, the first African American ever drafted by an NBA team, and writing a biography that has been praised as the most definitive article about Cooper’s legacy. Titan is the author of more than ten novels and the screenwriter of three produced short films. His newest young adult novel, Echoes of the Hardwood: Braxton Foxworthy’s Time‑Travelling Book Report, blends basketball history with heartfelt storytelling and is now available. Order here: https://a.co/d/bo7BYz1