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In the world of basketball, few things capture attention quite like an improbable, long-distance shot. Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard has made a habit of these awe-inspiring moments, even if they don't always count towards the score. His latest feat was a three-quarters court shot at the end of the third quarter during a blowout win over the Washington Wizards. Despite having only 0.2 seconds on the clock and not counting according to NBA rules, the shot still sent waves through the crowd.

Pritchard has never been deterred by the impact these half-court or farther heaves might have on his shooting percentage. His courage paid off spectacularly in Game 5 of the NBA Finals when he drained a half-court buzzer-beater, igniting a frenzy among fans. While many players are wary of such high-risk shots, the G League is experimenting with a rule change to encourage more of them. This season, they have instituted a rule where missed heaves in the last three seconds of the first three quarters won't count against a player's percentage, provided the shot originates from at least 36 feet away and from the backcourt.

Pritchard is a proponent of extending this rule to the NBA. "I think they should implement that in the NBA," he shared with CLNS Media. "It's a shot that's obviously different from a normal 3-point attempt. Some players shy away from it because it could hurt their stats. I don’t worry about that because making those shots can change the game’s momentum." This attitude reflects his belief in the intangible boost these shots can give, even if they don't always add points to the board.

Interestingly, Pritchard admits he doesn't practice these long-range attempts specifically; he simply trusts his ability to make them when the opportunity arises. These attempts have become a hallmark of his game, and fans have come to expect these thrilling moments. He still hears about his iconic Game 5 buzzer-beater against the Mavericks, a testament to the lasting impact of such plays.

Moreover, Pritchard has floated another intriguing idea: adding a four-point play for shots made beyond half court. "I've seen rules overseas with a four-point line," he noted. "While I doubt we'll adopt that, making a shot from behind half court worth four points is an interesting concept."

As debates about rule changes continue, Pritchard's deep heaves remain a thrilling aspect of his game, showcasing his willingness to break from convention and energize both teammates and fans.