Payton Pritchard has played alongside plenty of talented teammates with the Boston Celtics, but Mike Conley Jr. has quickly earned a special place in his eyes. After powering Boston to a 134-99 rout of the Chicago Bulls on Monday night at TD Garden, Pritchard went out of his way to praise the 20-year veteran, who saw some late action in his home debut with the Celtics.

“Just an unbelievable person. Obviously still in unbelievable shape for his age,” Pritchard said, via Zack Cox of Boston.com. “I was telling him (after) one of the back taps he had, I’m like, ‘You look like a DB still.’ Like, he’s just a freak.”

Pritchard made it clear that Conley’s value goes well beyond what he does on the court.

“But just such a good vet to be around and somebody I’m always pulling knowledge from him,” Pritchard said. “Just his career has been unbelievable. So for me to have somebody like that in my corner, it’s big.”

Conley signed a one-year deal with Boston in July, making him just the 14th player in NBA history to reach 20 seasons. The former Ohio State standout has built quite a resume along the way, earning an All-Star nod in 2021, an All-Defensive selection in 2013 and four NBA Sportsmanship Awards.

He spent last season with the Minnesota Timberwolves, who traded him at the deadline before bringing him back on a minimum contract for the rest of the year.

Pritchard, meanwhile, was the star of the show against Chicago. He scored a game-high 28 points on 10-of-16 shooting, including a scorching third quarter in which he poured in 19 points and went a perfect 5-of-5 from 3-point range.

His barrage helped Boston take a 30-point lead into the fourth. Jayson Tatum added 23 points, seven rebounds and six assists, while Paul George chipped in 16 points.

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The lopsided score allowed the Celtics to rest their starters early, giving Conley and rookie Chris Cenac Jr. a chance to get on the floor. Cenac made his NBA debut and scored his first career points.

Norman Powell led Chicago with 20 points.

The win improved Boston to 2-1 on the season. The Celtics will not have long to celebrate, as they host the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday night to wrap up a back-to-back.