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How To Watch Payton Pritchard, Boston Celtics: Eastern Conference Finals

Former Oregon Duck Payton Pritchard is playing a major role as the Boston Celtics take on the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals NBA Playoffs

Bri Amaranthus

May 9, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard (11) reacts after his
May 9, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard (11) reacts after his / David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
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Former Oregon Duck basketball star Payton Pritchard and the No. 1 seed Boston Celtics are one step closer to securing the 2024 NBA Championship. Pritchard's Celtics will face off vs. the No. 6 seed Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals NBA Playoffs series, beginning tonight at TD Garden in Boston.

“It’s a great honor,” Pritchard said. “This is where we wanna be every year, playing for a championship. So, we’re just looking forward to this test ahead.”

May 9, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard (11) reacts after his
May 9, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard (11) reacts after his / David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

Pritchard has played a major role in as Boston won both their first and second round series in five games. The Oregon native has been the top minute-getter off the bench, averaging 22.8 minutes a night. Pritchard is shooting a blistering 42.9 percent from three-point range on 3.5 attempts per game in the playoffs.

With Pritchard’s confident play, don’t be surprised to see his role increased as the Celtics continue their march to a championship. Last season, Pritchard hardly played in Boston's run to the Eastern Conference finals.

"As frustrating as it might be not to play... It’s motivating," Pritchard said. "I remember being a kid growing up, and you watch an NBA game. You watch a player, and you’re like, ‘wow.’ And then my first instinct was like, ‘I want to go to the gym.’”

Experience advantage goes to the Celtics, who are competing in their sixth Eastern Conference finals since 2017. The Pacers are in the playoffs for the first time in four years and haven't reached the conference finals in 10 years.

Eastern Conference Finals Schedule

  • Game 1: Pacers vs. Celtics; Tuesday, May 21 -- 8 p.m. ET (ESPN)
  • Game 2: Pacers vs. Celtics; Thursday, May 23 -- 8 p.m. ET (ESPN)
  • Game 3: Celtics at Pacers; Saturday, May 25 -- 8:30 p.m. ET (ABC)
  • Game 4: Celtics at Pacers; Monday, May 27 -- 8 p.m. ET (ESPN)
  • Game 5:* Pacers vs. Celtics, Wednesday, May 29 -- 8 p.m. ET (ESPN)
  • Game 6:* Celtics at Pacers; Friday, May 31 -- 8 p.m. ET (ESPN)
  • Game 7:* Pacers vs. Celtics; Sunday, June 2 -- 8 p.m. ET (ESPN)

*If necessary

May 15, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; The Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers warm up before
May 15, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; The Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers warm up before / David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
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Bri Amaranthus
BRI AMARANTHUS

Bri Amaranthus is an Emmy-winning sports reporter with over 12 years of experience in television, radio, podcasting, and digital sports journalism. She has been with Sports Illustrated for four years, providing breaking news, exclusive interviews, and analysis on the NFL, college sports, and the NBA. Prior to joining SI, Bri hosted NBC Sports Northwest's prime-time television show, where she also served as the Oregon beat reporter and created content covering both the NBA and college sports. Throughout her career, Bri has achieved significant milestones, including covering major events like the NBA Finals, NFL playoffs, College Football Playoff, NCAA Basketball Tournament, NFL Draft, and the NFL Combine. She earned a D1 scholarship to play softball at the University of San Diego and won two state softball titles in high school in Oregon. In addition to her Emmy win for NBC's All-Star Coach special, she has received multiple Emmy nominations, highlighting her dedication and talent in sports journalism.

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