BOSTON — As the Celtics prepare to enter a new year, the team sees 2025 as a fresh opportunity to refine their goals and build on their success.
Jaylen Brown and Payton Pritchard were pivotal in snapping the team’s slump with a dominant 142-105 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Friday night. The duo combined for 62 points, with Brown delivering a season-high 44 and Pritchard narrowly missing a triple-double with 18 points, eight rebounds, and 10 assists. Despite the win, both players are focused on setting new benchmarks for the remainder of the season.
“Just coming out, making sure our guys are ready to go — empowering them, continuing to instill confidence in our team,” Brown said after the game. “We’re only as strong as our weakest link. Empowering everyone to play their best means a lot to me. Helping Payton win Sixth Man of the Year would be incredible. I’ll keep leading on defense, picking up full-court, getting steals, and staying active.”
Brown continues to build on his impressive resume as the reigning Finals MVP and three-time All-Star. He’s averaging 23.8 points, six rebounds, and 4.7 assists this season, reaffirming his status as one of the league’s elite. For the 28-year-old, 2025 is about finding ways to elevate both himself and his teammates ahead of the playoffs.
Meanwhile, Pritchard is making his case as the front-runner for Sixth Man of the Year. The 26-year-old guard is enjoying a career season, averaging 15.3 points and 3.7 rebounds while shooting 46.7% from the field and 41.4% from beyond the arc. Through 31 games, he’s hit 112 three-pointers, ranking fourth in the league and just 14 behind Anthony Edwards, the current leader.
“I’m focused on staying consistent, both on and off the court,” Pritchard said. “It’s about putting in the work and continuing to find ways to grow as a player and as a person.”
With their sights set on collective and individual goals, Brown and Pritchard are determined to guide the Celtics to even greater heights in 2025.
