Key Celtics Player Makes Bold Spurs Comparison After Playoff Elimination

The Boston Celtics fell short of an NBA title this season, but they're not looking at it as a failure

Jan 2, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) celebrates with guard Payton Pritchard (11) after making a shot against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first half at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images | Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images

The Boston Celtics have an uphill battle awaiting them after Jayson Tatum suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon in Game 4 against the New York Knicks in the second round of the Eastern Conference Playoffs.

A series victory was going to be hard to come by without Tatum, but despite the early exit from the defending champions, a sense of confidence lingers in the building. Payton Pritchard spoke on it in the days following the end of the Celtics' season.

"Disappointing for sure," he said. "I don't look at it as a failure. I don't look at any situation like that as a failure. Failure is only when you stop trying to compete for something."

Payton Pritchard: "Disappointing for sure, for it to end. I don't look at it as a failure. I don't look at any situation like that as a failure. Failure is only when you stop trying to compete for something."

— Noa Dalzell 🏀 (@NoaDalzell) May 17, 2025

In Boston's case, it's competing for another NBA championship. And just because it didn't go back-to-back, doesn't mean it can't win again, at least in Pritchard's eyes. The shooting guard drew an interesting comparison to make his point.

“The Spurs, you consider them having a dynasty. They never went back to back. Are all all those years they didn’t win a failure, or did those years help them win the next championship”

Pritchard is locked in for banner 19☘️pic.twitter.com/PDCrjXxOfc

— 𝑩𝒐𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒏’𝒔 𝑩𝒖𝒓𝒏𝒆𝒓 (@Tatums0Burner) May 18, 2025

"The Spurs, you consider them having a dynasty," he said. "They never went back to back. Are all those years they didn’t win a failure? Or did those years help them win the next championship?"

Gregg Popovich would argue the latter. San Antonio has long been known for its patience and player development, which ultimately helped it build a team that consistently made the playoffs or won 50 games a season.

The Celtics don't have quite the same reputation, but they will likely be near the top of the Eastern Conference for several years to come.

In that sense, perhaps the comparison is a bit more fair.

Related Articles

Perspective Paramount as Dylan Harper Prepares for NBA Draft

What Options Do San Antonio Spurs Have with Pick No. 2?

Popovich Changed the Spurs; Now It's Mitch Johnson's Turn