Entering play on Tuesday, the Oklahoma City Thunder had lost 14 straight games and were one more shy from setting the franchise record for the longest losing streak.
Instead, the Thunder avoided a record-breaking defeat and pulled out the 119-115 win over the Boston Celtics, who were without Jayson Tatum (ankle) and Kemba Walker (oblique). Luguentz Dort led the Thunder with 24 points, while Darius Bazley had 21 points in the victory.
Without Tatum and Walker, Jaylen Brown scored a team-high 39 points and 11 rebounds with rookie Payton Pritchard adding a career-high 28 points, including 17 in the first half.
Pritchard finished the contest by shooting 9-of-16 from the field.
HIGHLIGHTS: Jaylen Brown and Payton Pritchard combine for 67 points but the Celtics fall to the Thunder pic.twitter.com/7UI10iOzpS
— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) April 28, 2021
The performance by Pritchard was likely one of few bright spots for the Celtics, who shot just 22.4% from 3-point range. Pritchard has now scored in double figures in six of his last seven games, his best stretch of the season so far.
The Celtics will certainly hope that Pritchard can continue his run as the team enters a crucial stretch with the hopes of avoiding falling into the play-in group. Pritchard has emerged as a key piece off the bench and the team will be counting on him moving forward.
This post originally appeared on Rookie Wire! Follow us on Facebook!
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