In a thrilling Game 5 of the NBA Finals, Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard made history with a jaw-dropping half-court shot that further cemented his status as a legend. Despite playing only one minute in the game, Pritchard's incredible shot helped the Celtics secure a 106-88 win over the Dallas Mavericks on Monday night at the Boston Garden.

The return of Mavericks star Kristaps Porzingis led Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla to tighten his rotation, leaving Pritchard on the sidelines for most of the first half. However, just before halftime, Pritchard seized his opportunity and launched a massive 30-foot buzzer-beater from half-court, extending Boston's lead to a commanding 21 points.

According to Stathead, Pritchard's historic shot made him the first player in NBA history to have two 30-foot buzzer-beater makes. This feat added another layer to Pritchard's allure, as he had already delivered plenty of clutch shots during the regular season and the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

The Celtics teammates were full of praise for Pritchard after the game. Jaylen Brown described his contribution as "unreal," noting Pritchard's ability to come into the game and drain a shot from half-court. Brown hailed him as a "legend" and gave a shout-out to Pritchard for his incredible performance.

Coach Joe Mazzulla commended Pritchard's competitiveness, professionalism, and his ability to take pride in such moments. Mazzulla emphasized that Pritchard's performance in winning crucial moments of the game was just as vital as any other play during the series. He expressed his admiration for Pritchard's growth as a player and emphasized the impact he had on winning games.

Veteran forward Al Horford marveled at Pritchard's half-court shot, calling it "beautiful" and stating that it broke the spirit of the opposing team while fueling the Celtics. Horford acknowledged the challenges Pritchard faced throughout the playoffs, uncertain of his playing time, but praised his readiness and fearlessness in the clutch moments. Horford believed that the moment Pritchard released the shot, he knew it was going in, describing it as a huge and special moment.

Pritchard's historic half-court shot will undoubtedly be remembered as a turning point in the Celtics' path to their title-clinching victory. As his teammates and coach celebrated his contributions, Pritchard's remarkable play added to his growing reputation as a player who excels under pressure.

With his legendary shot, Payton Pritchard etches his name in the annals of NBA history and exemplifies the kind of player who rises to the occasion when it matters most.