Payton

Pritchard

Brown is dealing with a right knee contusion that will keep him sidelined for at least one contest. The Celtics play again on Wednesday when they face the Nuggets on the road, so it’s possible he’s getting the night off purely for maintenance on the front leg of a back-to-back set. Brown’s absence should mean more run for Sam Hauser and Baylor Scheierman, with Jordan Walsh and Payton Pritchard likely to see bumps in playing time, too.

Brown is questionable for Tuesday’s game against the Suns with a right knee contusion. The 29-year-old small forward is coming off a 32-point performance in Sunday’s win over the Lakers. If Brown is ruled out, Payton Pritchard could move into the starting lineup and would have a higher fantasy ceiling.

Since Pritchard has started 48 games this season, he won’t be eligible to repeat as NBA Sixth Man of the Year. That said, his return to the bench has paid major dividends for the Celtics and the fantasy managers who have Pritchard on their rosters. He lit up the Lakers for 30 points on Sunday and has scored at least 24 points in six of the seven games he’s played since the lineup change. Since Boston’s February 3 win over the Mavericks, Pritchard has been a top-25 player in eight- and nine-cat formats, according to Basketball Monster.

Pritchard continues to put up excellent offensive numbers since being moved to the bench. The Celtics guard has scored at least 24 points in five of the six games he’s played since the lineup change, providing third-round per-game value in eight- and nine-cat formats during this stretch, according to Basketball Monster. Pritchard is already rostered in 95 percent of Yahoo! leagues, so there’s no need to scour the waiver wire in most leagues. Those who have him should keep the guard, as he has the potential to be a difference-maker in the fantasy playoffs.

Not only has the reigning Sixth Man of the Year not taken a step back since returning to the bench, but he’s actually been better than he was as a starter. Pritchard has scored at least 24 points in four of the five games he’s played since the lineup change, with Sunday’s loss to the Knicks being the exception. Over the past two weeks, Pritchard has offered top-50 per-game value in eight- and nine-cat formats according to Basketball Monster. Boston plays two games after the All-Star break to finish out Week 17, starting with the Warriors on February 19.

Pritchard has scored at least 24 points in each of the last three games. The move to the bench appears to have enhanced the guard’s value, an unsurprising development since he won Sixth Man of the Year last season. Just as crucial for fantasy managers is that Pritchard is still playing starters’ minutes. Those who have him rostered may consider selling high in the final days before the default fantasy trade deadline, but they may be better off holding onto Pritchard.

Pritchard came off the bench for both games of the Celtics’ Texas two-step, and had a significant impact. In addition to giving the second unit needed ball-handling, the “P Rabbit” totaled 53 points in wins over the Mavericks and Rockets. With Anfernee Simons no longer in the picture, Pritchard will likely remain in the sixth-man role. And that may actually boost his fantasy value.

Hamstring and knee injuries will keep Brown out for the second game of Boston’s back-to-back in Texas. Payton Pritchard came off the bench in Tuesday’s win over the Mavericks, and Brown’s absence may push him back into the starting five.

Brown finished with 33 points and 11 rebounds in Tuesday’s win over Dallas, but he is expected to sit out the second leg of this back-to-back. Sam Hauser (thumb) is out, which means there will be two open spots in the starting unit. Payton Pritchard should be back in the starting lineup, while either Jordan Walsh or Hugo Gonzalez should fill the other spot.

Pritchard, who won the NBA Sixth Man of the Year award last season, started each of the Celtics’ first 48 games of the 2025-26 campaign. That changed on Tuesday, but there were no issues with the adjustment for the guard. Pritchard shot 60 percent from the field, recorded seven assists, and still played 35 minutes. Baylor Scheierman (3/7/3/1/1 with one three-pointer) started and played 28 minutes, offering limited value in that role. Whether he starts or comes off the bench, Pritchard is a player who has to be rostered in all leagues.