USA TODAY Sports

The Boston Celtics have been one of the best teams in the NBA this season and are currently the second seed in the Eastern Conference with a 50-23 record in 73 games.

They will play their next game on Friday night when they host the Indiana Pacers in Massachusetts.   

However, the Celtics will likely remain without one of their backup guards, as Payton Pritchard remains out indefinitely.

That said, he could return before the end of the regular season, according to head coach Joe Mazzulla who met with the media on Thursday (h/t Underdog NBA). 

Mazzulla: "He did a live workout today, said he felt a little bit better. So will see how he responds to that." 

Reporter: "Is there hope that he'll be able to be back before the end of the regular season for you guys?" 

Mazzulla: "I would think so. Yeah, I would think he would."

Pritchard has missed each of the last seven games due to a heel injury.

The former Oregon star has had a diminished role this season and is only playing 12.5 minutes per contest in 45 games.

He is averaging 4.7 points and 1.5 rebounds while shooting 39.1% from the field and 33.1% from the three-point range.

In each of his first two seasons in the NBA, the 25-year-old shot over 41.0% from the three-point range.

The Celtics are coming off a season where they made the NBA Finals for the first time since 2010 and have made the Conference Finals in two out of the last three seasons. 

More on the Boston Celtics can be read here 

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