Payton Pritchard scores 38 points as Boston Celtics defeat Washington Wizards

On Sunday regular season last game Payton Pritchard scored a career-high 38 points for the NBA-best Boston Celtics, who rested their entire starting lineup in a 132-122 victory against the Washington Wizards. He got support from Svi Mykhailiuk as he scored 26 points and Sam Hauser scored 16 points. For this game, the Boston Celtics rested Derrick White, Jrue Holiday, Jaylen Brown, Kristaps Porzingis, and Jayson Tatum.

Payton Pritchard added 12 assists and nine rebounds. In last year's last regular-season game, the 6-foot-1 Pritchard had a triple-double with 30 points, 14 rebounds, and 11 assists, joining Larry Bird and John Havlicek as the only Boston Celtics to do so. Pritchard competed in all 82 games this season. He scored 14 points in the final 2:19 of the first half, making all four 3-pointers to give Boston a 69-59 halftime lead. 

With just 5:22 minutes remaining in the game, Payton Pritchard grabbed his ninth rebound and took the game away from the Washington Wizards. According to AP News Payton Pritchard stated, “If it came, I’ll take it. But I got one last year.” “It wasn’t like I had pressure to get my first triple-double. I’m a pretty good rebounder. So, if I get the minutes, I think I’ll be able to get another triple-double.”

Boston Celtics held their No.1 place in the Eastern Conference

Meanwhile, the Boston Celtics held their No.1 place in the Eastern Conference as they ended their 15th season with 60 or more wins. Boston Celtics won their NBA in 2008. After losing Game 7 at home to Miami in the Eastern Conference finals last spring, anything less than a trip to the NBA Finals this year would most certainly be considered a letdown.

However, the Washington Wizards finished their third consecutive and fifth in the past six without making it into playoffs. For Washington Wizards Eugene Omoruyi took the charge as he scored 26 points and Jared Butler scored 22 as they lost the match. This was Washington Wizards' sixth consecutive loss of the regular season.