Payton Pritchard IGNITES Boston Celtics, Backups to DOMINATE Without Jaylen Brown
Boston Celtics showcase unparalleled depth as Payton Pritchard explodes for 33 points, 7 rebounds, and 10 assists in a decisive win over the Toronto Raptors. Can Joe Mazzulla’s ever-adapting lineups keep surprising the league? Luka Garza and Hugo Gonzalez deliver historic double-doubles off the bench, while Derrick White and Sam Hauser step up in crucial moments—proving no one can be counted out this season.
John Karalis of Boston Sports Journal analyzes Mazzulla’s coaching innovations, including unexpected rotations and bold substitutions that fuel game-changing momentum swings. Key discussion points highlight Boston’s defensive tactics, contributions from Baylor Scheierman, and the evolving roles of Jordan Walsh and Josh Minott. With the Celtics now alone in third place and every roster spot in play, the upcoming matchup against Indiana looms large. Can Boston’s unpredictability power a sustained run to the top of the Eastern Conference?
1:00 Celtics Team Win Recap
2:07 Peyton Pritchard’s Star Performance
8:10 Luka Garza & Ugo Gonzalez Double-Doubles
14:13 Trivia Answer & Bench Impact
17:00 Joe Mazzulla’s Coaching Decisions
20:03 Can’t Count Anyone Out Segment
24:00 Celtics Standings & Schedule Outlook
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21 Comments
Hi John. What are your number 13 jerseys about?
Garza was putting in work. Baylor Scheierman can ball, I hope he keeps getting opportunities.
Joe is pressing the right buttons, and guys is responding when they get there opportunities.
Was wondering why Garza was a DNP vs Miami but obviously it was all part of Joe’s master plan😏
So good to see Pritch finding his range again and loving Hugo’s heart-kid could be a keeper. Hope everyone is enjoying their holiday time, thanks John. ☘️🔒🐾
The last time was 2016 when #EvanTurner & #TylerZeller did it🍀🍀 Congratulations to this team for continuing to find their identity🍀🍀 #LFG
Garza comes out after not playing for the past games and plays his heart out
DUDE PP had 33 points 10 assists and what 8 friggin rebounds ! With NOO BROWN NOOO TATUM !!! 😂 on ONE .ONE ONE turn over lol id say That is Star of the game! Dam Man This team is so highly underrated
I like what Joes doing but at some point whoever comes out on top as far as MOSt consistent should eventually take the mins! like closer to playoff time when we drop to 1-8
Garza Played phenomenal but ill say when he took that 3 that wass wayyyy off I cringed lol😂
The whole credit to mazulla with players who did not get any minutes last season making all this possible
Fun Fact: Luka Garza is from Washington DC and his birthday is coming up December 27
Joe Mazzulla coach of the year Season loading'🤔🏀💯🍀🏆💪🏾.
This season let’s all of us know, if the Celtics had a healthy JT, Boston would be winning the East. I still believe this team is a PG and another big man away when JT returns.
Congrats to Joe and the rest of the team great job guys ☘️☘️😎
When Walsh turned the corner this season, I started to say the same thing as you John- have some faith in these guys. They’re all Brad’s guys and we have every reason to trust him and his front office.
Next step for Garza should be to kick those orebs out for open 3s
A good chess player uses all of their pieces, even sacrificing the queen to win the game, and even pawns can become important pieces.
Minutes are there for the hungry every player should be excited about the opportunity to earn confidence in their place on the roster. This is a guaranteed place for Playoff Basketball
Love the pod and the team. Sharing here for discussion two Celts suggested roster moves: (1) trade Anfernee Simons, a top-eight-restricted first round pick, and the reasonably necessary added draft sweeteners (seconds/swaps) to Nets for Terrance Mann before trade deadline; and (2) target and sign Jock Landale as FA this offseason. These moves would give the Celtics two useful and relatively low-cost role players for the next championship run.
Thesis for Idea (1): This trade would get the Celts under luxury tax by $100K (and you all likely already know all the many reasons that maximizes the team’s near and long-term prospects for success, from both a personnel acquisition and financial standpoint). Mann is locked into a reasonable contract ($15.5-16M per) for next two seasons, in his primeHis size, strength, and defense versatility, especially on the perimeter, would bolster the team’s bench D, which will be vital for going toe-to-toe with OKC etc. in the playoffs. He’s also an efficient offensive player and playmaker. He’d also likely exceed his career three average (37%), because he'd get more open looks on the C’s and play off the bench.
Thesis for Idea (2): The Celts need a stretch 5, and Jock Landale is a low-cost solution. He's shooting over 41% from three this season and was 42% last year, among the highest among all centers. He’s also got good size, is a solid rebounder, and is a solid inside scorer. He could also likely be had for low dollars ($4-8M range), which the Celtics could easily afford to spend once they get under the luxury tax (by making move (1) above). Even though Memphis has Landale’s Bird rights, he’d likely prefer to play on a team fighting for a championship (like the Celts), if the money is competitive, so the Celts would be well positioned to sign Landale over Memphis or any other team in FA market.
Several writers have discussed the team trading Simons for players like Nic Claxton, or Daniel Gafford, or Ivica Zubac, but none of them are stretch 5’s, which the Celts need and could use to complement (and sometimes play with) Queta; Claxton and Zubac don’t get the teamunder the luxury tax(inch is critically important); and those moves don’t net the team two players that could be both used and acquired while getting under the luxury tax. Thoughts?
It’s gotta be sully and Brandon bass
Yes John…Joe is crazy.😂 (In a good way of course.) This man in bodies Celtics pride. I personally love it. Also Joe and staff showing how elite they are with this type of roster. I also give a lot of credit to Brad Steven's and the front office for this season too. ☘️