Lessons from the Celtics vs. Wizards: Pritchard and the C’s overwhelm Mike Gorman Day made his debut on NBC Sports Boston.

The Boston Celtics defeated the Washington Wizards in a commanding fashion in their regular-season finale at TD Garden to honor Mike Gorman.

Gorman, who has been the C’s play-by-play man for the past 43 years, received recognition during the penultimate regular-season game of his illustrious career. The Celtics hosted a moving halftime ceremony that had multiple touching moments, and they also screened a tribute video on the jumbotron.

Regarding the actual game, while the players rested in preparation for the postseason, Boston’s reserves once again took center stage. Alongside Luke Kornet, Sam Hauser, Svi Mykhailiuk, and Payton Pritchard, rookie Jordan Walsh started his first NBA game.

Following his outstanding performance in Friday’s victory over Charlotte, Pritchard gave an encore. For the second straight game, he scored 38 points, dished out 12 assists, and pulled down nine rebounds, setting a career high. With 26 and 19 points, respectively, Mykhailiuk and big man Neemias Queta both had outstanding performances. The Celtics won 132-122, with a lead of up to 24 points.

With a 64-18 record at the end of the 2023–24 regular season, Boston achieved their best result since going 66–16 in the 2007–08 championship campaign. Friday, following the play-in round, it will find out who its first-round playoff opponent is.

Here are three things to remember from Sunday before we start thinking about the postseason:

It’s “Pro-Am P” once more.

One of Pritchard’s many monikers, “Pro-Am P,” came about as a result of his penchant for blowing up the box score in Pro-Am contests. In 2021, he scored 92 points. Over the past two games, he has led the Celtics’ starting lineup while playing in “Pro-Am” mode.

He eclipsed his 32-point scoring burst against Charlotte with a new career-high 38-point showing against the Wizards. He was an explosive 15 of 21 from the field, with 4 of 6 coming from deep.

Pritchard had six assists and 22 points at the half. Dick Lipe, the Celtics’ statistical expert, states that Pritchard is just one of seven players from the C’s who had at least 20 points and six assists in the first half throughout the play-by-play era. He completed the feat in two consecutive games, making him the only Celtic to do so twice.

In the postseason, Pritchard will play more of a supporting role, but there’s no denying that he will have his moments to shine as Boston pursues Banner 18. He deserves this chance.

Mike Gorman receives a fitting farewell

At his farewell regular-season game, the adored broadcaster honored 43 years of greatness.

A video homage to Gorman was shown by the C’s on the TD Garden Jumbotron early in the game. A standing ovation was given by the audience, and Gorman reacted deeply to the show of affection.

For the past 43 years, the Celtics have honored Gorman’s contributions to broadcasting with a special halftime ceremony. In front of the Garden crowd, Gorman concluded with a parting message for the C’s as they prepare for their postseason run.

“I just want to tell the team to go win this thing.”

The entire ceremony can be seen below, or you can view the highlights here.

Even though this was Gorman’s last regular-season game, he will still be the voice of NBC Sports Boston throughout the Celtics’ opening-round playoff series.