Boston Celtics’ Payton Pritchard is ‘Ready to Go to War’ Against Jaylen Brown This Upcoming Season

After their first-round playoff exit last season, the Boston Celtics surprisingly traded Jaylen Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers in a deal that shocked many people. However, Payton Pritchard wasn’t one of them, or at least publicly.

During his sit-down interview with Celtics on CLNS, Pritchard spoke about Brown being traded, and the Boston Celtics guard said he cannot wait to face off against his former teammate this upcoming season.

Mar 27, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard (11) reacts after making a basket during the second half against the Atlanta Hawks at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images

“I mean, it’s part of the business,” Pritchard said. “Nothing’s actually really that shocking to me anymore. You’re just used to seeing big things, and I think changes happen all the time. It always sucks to see a brother and a teammate that you played with for a long time go, but you move on, and you get ready to go to war against him.”

“I learned so much from him. So, very grateful for our relationship. He’s obviously a tremendous basketball player. But yeah, just took me under his wing at times, and I’m very grateful for it,” he continued.

Mar 1, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla talks with guard Payton Pritchard (11) from the sideline as they take on the Dallas Mavericks at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY SportsBoston Celtics News: Payton Pritchard issues challenge for the team this upcoming season

In the same interview, Payton Pritchard said that the Jaylen Brown trade will give him and his teammates opportunities to step up for the Boston Celtics this upcoming season.

“Playing really hard and making smart reads and decisions,” Pritchard said. “That’s the biggest thing, and we need everybody to take a step. Regular season wins, you win by playing hard, and then in the playoffs, you win by playing harder and smarter. That’s really the recipe. I’ve been with (Mazzulla) a lot. He wants guys to take a leadership jump, be more of a player-led team, and so looking forward to that.”

“I feel like I’m middle of the pack age-wise, maybe second longest-tenured Celtic, which is crazy. I still have that same hunger to come in and prove it, and earn more and more. I just think that’s just more my mentality in general. It’s how I grew up. You gotta keep showing it. The moment you stop showing it is the moment they’ll move on from you,” he added.

Pritchard is coming off his best NBA season in 2025-26, averaging 17.0 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 5.2 assists on 46/38/89 shooting splits across 79 regular-season appearances (50 starts).