Celtics' crucial Payton Pritchard decision is already paying off

Jan 1, 2026; Sacramento, California, USA; Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard (11). Mandatory Credit: Dennis Lee-Imagn Images | Dennis Lee-Imagn ImagesMost of the time, a player moving from a starting spot to a bench role is viewed as a demotion in the NBA. But for Payton Pritchard, last year's Sixth Man of the Year, his recent move out of the starting five doesn't feel dreary at all.

Instead, it feels like Joe Mazzulla is simply putting a player back into a role they're comfortable in — and after the Celtics trade of Anfernee Simons, it makes sense to let Pritchard lead the second unit.

Simons was the Celtics' go-to offensive option off the bench, and with that presence no longer…