After a rough shooting night against Minnesota (12-8), Payton Pritchard delivered exactly what Boston (11-9) needed to survive a tough schedule.

With Derrick White and Neemias Queta out, Pritchard took on a larger offensive role and responded with his season-best performance: 42 points on 15 for 22 shooting, including 6 threes. On the strength of Pritchard and a mix of reserves, the Celtics beat the Cavaliers 117-115 in Cleveland (12-9).

Though just shy of last year’s 43-point career high, the effort stood out given the context. On the second night of a back-to-back, Pritchard’s shot creation and relentless pace powered Boston’s offense.

Just a day earlier, Pritchard shot 4 for 14 in the loss to Minnesota. Sunday showed why the Celtics can rely on him to bounce back. When in rhythm, he can reshape a game, and Boston leaned on that to repeatedly build its lead in Cleveland. His pull-up shooting stretched the defense, opening space for drives and kick-outs that steadied the Celtics when the game tightened.

Boston appeared in control until Cleveland rallied late, cutting the lead to one and setting up a final shot. The Celtics’ defense held on, forcing a miss at the buzzer to seal a gritty win. The victory moved Boston to 5-7 in clutch games this season - a mark that would look different without Pritchard’s performance.

Though Pritchard led, this was not a one-man effort.

Jordan Walsh had his best game yet, with 14 points, 11 rebounds, and several key energy plays. Jaylen Brown, despite shooting struggles, tallied a triple-double: 19 points, 12 rebounds, and 11 assists, filling roster gaps. Anfernee Simons scored 18 off the bench, including a crucial second-quarter run.

On a night when Boston might have faded, the shorthanded Celtics found answers everywhere. But none louder than Pritchard’s breakout.

With the 27-year-old becoming the fourth player in Celtics history to score 42 points in just 30 minutes of action (Larry Bird twice, Jaylen Brown, Tommy Heinsohn), he was the obvious choice for an on-court interview postgame with NBC Sports Boston’s Abby Chin:

Abby Chin: Second night of a back-to-back, you came out ultra aggressive, firing from the jump, finishing with a season-high - the second 40-piece of your career. What was the mindset?

Payton Pritchard: “Just disappointed over how I played last night in Minnesota. So, wanted to come out here and, you know, give them everything I got tonight and try to go out this way off the back to back.”

AC: You battled early foul trouble as a team. Donovan Mitchell did what he does. How were you all able to maintain your composure?

PP: “I mean, star players gonna make big plays. It's hard to stop them. So, it takes a team to stop those guys. But we did a good job. We pulled it out. They made it interesting at the end, but we found a way to win.”

AC: Down two starters, Jordan Walsh, [Xavier Tillman] stepped up. How big are nights like this for that reserve group?

PP: “Especially for X - being a pro, he ain't played some games now, and came in and he was huge. His energy - but he's always professional, so moments like this never surprise me. J-Walsh did a great job defending big plays, rebounding, all that. It was great.”

AC: What more can we say about Jaylen Brown? A triple-double tonight, has not missed a game yet this season -

PP: “I mean, he just affects the game in so many ways. He can score, like you see last night. But tonight - triple-double, helps get our team going. So he's an exceptional player. He's a top player in this league.”

Tom Carroll is a contributor for Roundtable, with boots-on-the-ground coverage of all things Boston sports. He's a senior digital content producer for WEEI.com, and a native of Lincoln, RI.