NBA FINALS: CELTICS VS. WARRIORS

June 2, 2022

Payton Pritchard

Boston Celtics

Game 1: Postgame

Celtics 120, Warriors 108

Q. Payton, your first shot, just seeing that go in, did that really loosen you up throughout? Seemed like that's what you needed to see that ball go through the net.

PAYTON PRITCHARD: I think it was good for all of us, I mean, to see our first shots, see a shot go in. This is the first time for all of us being in an NBA Finals. Obviously there's a little bit of jitters and stuff like that. But, yeah, it was.

Q. Can you just describe leaps you've seen Jayson make as a passer.

PAYTON PRITCHARD: He's an unbelievable playmaker. I mean, obviously we know he can score at the highest of levels. But when you can score and pass like he is, I think you end up with like 13 assists. It's a game changer. It makes teams play you completely different, which in the end if we do our job and hit the shots he's kicking to us, it's going to open up more for him.

Q. First NBA Finals game, you're out there, Coach lets you roll guarding Steph Curry. What is that like?

PAYTON PRITCHARD: It's an unbelievable feeling just to be here and compete at this level. Against such a dynamic franchise for the last couple years. I just think we're all looking forward to the challenge to go through the series and try to get it done.

Q. Ime kind of singled out Marcus in the second quarter when he wasn't playing. He was cheering for you guys and then checks in and finishes the game. What does that do for you when the Defensive Player of the Year is that hyped up for you guys?

PAYTON PRITCHARD: You know, basketball is a team sport. We all pick up slack sometimes. When he's out, we all got to pick up the defensive intensity because he leads us at that end. When he's out, we just have to pick it up.

Q. What was it like to go through that second half where you guys obviously come out and struggle in the third, fall behind, then out there for the fourth quarter? What was that swing like to live through it?

PAYTON PRITCHARD: Well, I think we want to try to take care of the third quarter better. Obviously through the Playoffs we've been struggling a little bit.

But being resilient has been the word for this year. I think it showed tonight.

Q. What was being said on the bench during the game? Was everybody trying to calm each other down? Was Ime coaching different than he would a normal game?

PAYTON PRITCHARD: No, I think he coached the same. We went out there and did the same. We've been in big-time series against Brooklyn, Milwaukee and the Heat, now Golden State. We're not changing anything up.

But just to keep on going, make a run. They're going to make their runs. Just control it.

Q. Going into the fourth quarter, what was the conversation amongst the teammates, not from the coach, but just the players? Yesterday you were pretty confident about what this team could do in this series. What was the mindset going into the fourth quarter?

PAYTON PRITCHARD: Just we're going to make our run. Obviously they made their run in the third. We were just confident that we were going to make our run, get stops defensively, then start hitting shots.

I think we held them to 15 points or something like that in the fourth quarter, so obviously it started with the defense.

Q. You mentioned the nerves. Were there some and when did you feel yourself start calming down?

PAYTON PRITCHARD: Yeah, definitely. I think everybody had nerves today from our side. Like I said, it's our first time being here. But it's more being excited and ready for the moment.

Just getting up and down, I think it went away quick. But it's definitely exciting.

Q. Certainly this looks like it will be a long series. How big is it to take the first game, especially on the road?

PAYTON PRITCHARD: I think it's important to win any game you can. Especially to come here and win one on their home court is huge. But we looking forward to Game 2 now, putting this one past us and trying to get that one, too.

THE MODERATOR: Thank you, Payton.