Green With Envy: A Boston Celtics Podcast

Episode: Payton Pritchard and the Celtics Put a Whooping on Luka Doncic and the Lakers
Date: February 23, 2026
Hosts: Will and Greg Banis
Guests Referenced: Mike Gorman, Drew Carter, Amina Smith, Dana Barros (mentioned, not present)
Main Theme: The Boston Celtics' dominant performance over the Los Angeles Lakers (111-89) on the road, celebrating Payton Pritchard’s explosive game, dissecting Luka Doncic’s struggles, and evaluating the Celtics’ roster depth and playoff outlook.

Episode Overview

Will and Greg deliver an energized breakdown of the Celtics’ resounding win over the Lakers, highlighting the team’s defensive identity, Payton Pritchard’s “sixth man” supernova, Jalen Brown’s leadership, and growing confidence in Boston’s homegrown rotation. With lively banter, they torch Luka Doncic's play style and mentality, analyze matchups, and speculate on Jason Tatum’s looming return—all as the team hunts for championship pedigree and the fabled “Banner 19.”

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Boston’s Defensive Clinic and Identity

• Celtics "Put the Clamps On" Lakers: Celtics' smothering defense held the Lakers under 90 points, a rare feat in today's offense-driven NBA.
  • “They didn’t break 90 tonight. In a day where offense reigns supreme … the Celtics put the clamps on. Just a masterful performance again.” —Will (02:51)
• Celtics went “94 feet for 48 minutes,” with aggressive pressure exhausting Luka Doncic and highlighting Boston's superior fitness (04:15).
• The hosts emphasize Boston’s culture of effort and “purity of basketball,” citing sequences like White’s steal, Ugo’s dish, and Vucevic’s alley-oop as examples of team-first play (09:00).

2. Luka Doncic’s Nightmare: Celtics Defense and Mental Frailty

• Multiple segments roast Doncic for his “donkey” antics, disengaged defense, and susceptibility to being outworked.
  • “Jalen wasn’t on him the whole night, but Jalen was there … I’m the MVP in this game. Can everybody stop with this Luka Doncic nonsense? … Get this guy out of here with this MVP talk.” —Greg (04:15)
  • “Do you want to compete or do you want to complain?” —Greg (06:36)
  • Will and Greg repeatedly cite Luka’s body language, lack of conditioning, and contrast him with the “Missoula DNA” of relentless, team-focused effort.
• Celtics deliberately target “mental frauds” like Doncic and Embiid, aiming to exhaust and expose stars who aren’t committed defensively or physically (07:30).
• “Everything that they do is designed to expose his flaws—make him play defense … Luka can’t guard anybody.” —Greg (08:56)

3. Payton Pritchard: The "Big Dick Menace" Sixth Man

• Pritchard’s Line: 30 points (10-14 FG, 6-9 3PT), 8 assists, 4 rebounds in 38 minutes off the bench.
• Clutch Appeal: Noted for a string of buzzer beaters and relentless offensive energy.
  • “Payton Pritchard, who put his Sir Arlen pain just on the table tonight... came in averaging just under 22 in his last seven games since he's gone to the bench … He was the offensive engine that kind of ignited everything tonight.” —Will (10:47)
  • “There’s this guy who, like, buzzer beaters happen … and he just keeps hitting them.” —Will (11:21)
• National commentators (Reggie Miller, Jamal Crawford) gave Pritchard his due, comparing his shot-making to Caitlin Clark (comments about Clark’s comparison to Pritchard discussed at 13:12).
• Hosts reflect on Pritchard’s development from scrappy late first-round pick to indispensable sixth man. Growth cited in his physicality, playing off two feet, and ability to attack bigger defenders (15:39).
  • “If you try and back him down, you're not backing him down. … He's an absolute tank.” —Greg (16:44)

4. Jaylen Brown: All-Around Impact and Late-Game Closer

• Stat line: 32 points (10-28 FG), 9-12 FT, 8 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 steals, +18.
• Hosts highlight Brown's leadership, defensive versatility on Doncic/LeBron/Reeves, physical rebounds, and game-closing mentality.
  • “Jaylen Brown is playing the best basketball of his life and he’s doing exactly what the team needs him to do … That’s just leadership.” —Greg (21:27)
• Brown’s playstyle may not always show in the box score, but his value to team cohesion and defensive anchor is resoundingly praised (20:22).
• Notable callback to his infamous “Beverly Hills incident”; hosts joke about Brown’s on-court boldness (21:23, 22:14).

5. Nemias Queta: Developmental Success Story at Center

• 12 points, 12 rebounds (4 offensive), 3 blocks, 4-5 FG, huge defensive plays vs. LeBron.
• Hosts call Queta a cornerstone for the future, comfortably outplaying bigger-name centers like Deandre Ayton.
  • “Nemi Escada deserves to be the starter for the rest of the season and for the rest of the time that he's in Boston … he was just great tonight, man.” —Greg (25:43)
• With NBA value contracts in mind, the hosts urge Brad Stevens to lock him up long-term.

6. Rookies and Rotation Depth: Baylor Shireman & Ugo Gonzalez

• Praised for hounding Doncic for 94 feet and making the superstar continually work.
• High energy, low mistake play “a relatively easy job to ask a young guy with energy,” but a major asset to team defense (30:35).
  • "Baylor and Ugo were up to the task, man … two of the hardest working guys in the NBA." —Greg (30:35)
• Depth gives Celtics game-changing versatility, especially with Tatum slated for return.

7. Playoff Outlook, The “40-20 Rule,” and Jason Tatum’s Return Watch

• Phil Jackson’s “40 wins before 20 losses” championship predictor discussed; Celtics are positioned to clear this mark in next 4 games (32:38).
• Celtics now have the 4th best record in the NBA, trailing only Pistons, Thunder, Spurs (35:08).
• Tatum’s return: Cautious optimism as photos emerge from practice, ramp-up becoming a topic of speculation and humor.
  • “We don’t need collective blue balls as Celtics nation … This needs to happen.” —Greg (37:38)
  • “The oven is beeping. It is ready to cook. Insert Jason Tatum here.” —Greg (37:52)
• Will and Greg plan a trip to Spurs game, eyeing Tatum’s comeback as a potential season frequency point.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Luka Doncic:
  “He’s such a donkey, dude … Do you want to compete or do you want to complain?” —Greg (06:36)

• On Payton Pritchard:
  “This is your show right now. … Come get this business. Inside the lane. Pivot, foot inside out. Use my body … get some space.” —Will (14:46)

• On the Celtics’ Identity:
  “This is the basketball that Celtics fans just appreciate and love … that type of play, that type of effort, and it was just all up and down the roster.” —Greg (09:00)

• Greg’s Birthday Banter:
  “A happy early birthday if you’re listening to us here on a Sunday night … Glad to be here with you.” —Will (01:00) “Existential crisis begin.” —Greg (39:31)

• On Tatum’s Anticipated Return:
  “We don’t need collective blue balls as Celtics nation … we need to reach the climax of this return.” —Greg (37:38)

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Segment Description | Timestamp | |--------------------------------------------|----------:| | Game score, setting the scene for Lakers | 01:01 | | Celtics defense & Lakers’ offensive woes | 02:51 | | Luka Doncic roasting begins | 04:15 | | Missoula’s mentality vs. Luka & Embiid | 07:30 | | Celtics’ team play, key “Celtics DNA” play | 09:00 | | Payton Pritchard praise & clutch gene | 10:47 | | Pritchard development & skill breakdown | 13:12 | | Jalen Brown’s all-around contributions | 20:22 | | Jaylen's big closing plays recalled | 23:13 | | Nemias Queta’s emergence as starter | 24:48 | | Analysis of Baylor Shireman & Ugo Gonzalez | 29:13 | | “40-20 Rule” playoff contender checklist | 32:38 | | Tatum’s return, “Tatum Watch” segment | 36:34 | | Birthday banter, sign-off | 39:10 |

Final Thoughts

This episode serves as a vibrant celebration of Celtics pride, packed with candid takes, locker-room humor, and infectious energy. Through their analysis of hard-nosed defense, emergent talent, and a fiery group identity, Will and Greg convince the audience that Boston’s banner hunt is poised for a dramatic second act—with Payton Pritchard’s rising star, Jaylen Brown’s leadership, and the much-anticipated return of Jason Tatum leading the charge.