Celtics point guard Payton Pritchard on injury that forced exit in win vs. Bucks

November 7, 2026

Boston Celtics point guard Payton Pritchard has taken a beating as of late. During a 108-97 win over the Orlando Magic last Sunday, the scrappy benchwarmer dove for a loose ball and roughed up his shoulder. He still managed to play the following night against the Houston Rockets, but he didn’t convert on a single field goal in the 109-93 loss, clearly signaling that something wasn’t right.

Then when the C’s went home to TD Garden on Wednesday night for an Eastern Conference showdown with the Milwaukee Bucks, Pritchard suffered a right eye abrasion that forced him to leave the game in pain during the third quarter. Boston was also without star forward Jayson Tatum that evening due to rest, so it barely held on to a 109-102 victory against the struggling Bucks.

Nov 4, 2026; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard (11) shoots the ball against Milwaukee Bucks guard AJ Green (20) during the first half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images

“They said it was an abrasion,” Pritchard described of his injury, via CLNS Media. “Something in the eye. Really it was just affecting — I couldn’t see. My vision was very, I don’t know how to explain it, but I couldn’t track the rim when it happened. So, I knew I had a problem. I had to come out.”

Pritchard seemed to put all these bruises and scratches behind him on Friday night. The 2025 Sixth Man of the Year recorded 12 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists en route to a 119-80 win versus the Charlotte Hornets. And, most importantly for the Celtics, Pritchard located the rim with ease in the blowout, draining four of his six shots from beyond the arc.

“It was better,” Pritchard described of his vision on Friday. “Feeling better today, especially with the shoulder. So, today was a good step.”

It didn’t look like anything was bothering the Celtics in Charlotte. They netted 24 triples and shot a blistering 55 percent from 3-point land. Tatum led the way with 34 points in just 29 minutes of play and the C’s cruised to a 7-2 record, which is good enough for second place in the East.

Up next for the Celtics are, again, the Bucks — the same team that gave Pritchard a bloody nose and a scratched eye. Boston had no injuries to report ahead of the Sunday night contest, so perhaps Pritchard and company will be out for revenge in Milwaukee.