Payton Pritchard tweeted on Sunday night that he plans to suit up for the Celtics Summer League championship game on Tuesday night against the Sacramento Kings in Las Vegas. However, the Celtics aren’t sure just yet whether they will allow their high-scoring guard to return to the floor in a meaningless game.
According to Celtics Summer League Coach Joe Mazzulla, Pritchard did not practice with the team in Las Vegas on Monday and it’s unclear whether the team believes it makes sense to allow Pritchard to suit up for one more game in Las Vegas given the injury risks involved.
“I know everyone saw what he tweeted and we’re in discussions about whether it makes sense for him to come back,” Mazzulla said Monday afternoon. “We’re still communicating and working through that. As a coach obviously you want him there, I think we’ll know more in the morning.”
Pritchard looked to be a cut above the competition in Summer League during his first three games in Las Vegas, averaging 20.3 points and 8.7 assists per game in that stretch. He also shot a red-hot 57.7% from 3-point range during Boston’s wins.
However, Pritchard left Las Vegas on Friday for a ‘prior engagement’ in what was termed a team excused absence. During that time, Pritchard made headlines back home in Portland by scoring 92 points in a Portland Pro-Am basketball tournament on Saturday night. He followed up that performance with 57 points on Sunday.
In addition to Pritchard’s potential availability for the title game, the Celtics also may get some other reinforcements in their backcourt. Rookie point guard Yam Madar took part in the team’s light practice Monday and may suit up on Tuesday after sitting out Saturday’s game with a groin injury.
“We didn’t go hard today but he practiced,” Mazzulla said of Madar. “He’s doing a great job in his treatment sessions and trying to get ready. He’s eager to play. We’ll see how he responds to today’s practice. It’s something we’ll talk about in the morning as well.”
The 4-0 Celtics will face off with the undefeated Sacramento Kings in the Summer League championship at 9 p.m. on Tuesday.
Comments are not available on this story.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
