:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68708897/1230704866.0.jpg)
Boston Celtics rookie Payton Pritchard was helped off the floor by staff late in Friday’s first quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers. Early in the second quarter, the Celtics ruled Pritchard out with, initially diagnosing him with a right knee sprain.
Celtics have ruled out Payton Pritchard with a right knee sprain.
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) January 23, 2021
On replay, it appeared a Jaylen Brown fell into Pritchard’s right knee while both were part of a scrum for a rebound under the basket.
Payton Pritchard looked like he was in a lot of pain. Here's the clip of Jaylen Brown falling into his right leg: pic.twitter.com/JHjZyORzSg
— Chris Grenham (@chrisgrenham) January 23, 2021
On the replay, Brown went right into the side of Pritchard's right knee.
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) January 23, 2021
Pritchard looked like he said "I heard it pop."
The Celtics closed the quarter on a 12-0 run immediately after Pritchard was helped to the locker room.
Pritchard, drafted late in the first round this past fall, has had an immediate impact for the Celtics so far this season. The rookie guard’s pestering defensive style and three-point range has been a boon to both second unit and closing lineups.
Stay tuned to CelticsBlog for more updates.