Jalen Brunson lost sight of Pritchard after a double-screen from Jayson Tatum and Porzingis, leaving the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year wide open for his first make late in the first quarter. But overall, Pritchard had a suboptimal start to the game, missing three of his first four shots.

On the road, in a game the Celtics needed badly, Pritchard delivered in the type of position he had wanted for so long.

Boston Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said Saturday that the days leading up to Game 3 of their first-round series against the New York Knicks were not difficult whatsoever. Yes, the Celtics were down 2-0 after blowing two 20-point leads at home,