For the third time in the Finals, Derrick White did Derrick White. That is to say: play simple, take (and make) open shots and defend. Result ? 16 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 blocks in this Game 3 in Dallas.
In addition, the former Spurs guard mainly shot 3-pointers, with nine attempts from behind the arc on his ten shots in the game, posting a clean 4/9 in this exercise. His last, 2 minutes 46 from the end of the match, to give a six point lead was very, very valuable.
“Derrick is special. He's a truly special player. A winner “summarizes Al Horford at a press conference. “He wants to be in these situations, in these moments. It's amazing that he can continue to find a way to impact matches. In attack, in defense, it doesn't matter, he does things that allow him to win. »
“We can always count on him to make the important shots”
Joe Mazzulla also pays him a nice tribute. “It’s about taking the right shots, the ones the defense gives you,” explains the Celtics coach. “Derrick White has the green light to shoot because his quality is to take shots that make sense. He can go into the paint and attempt a floater here, or a 3-pointer after a dribble or catch-and-shoot there. I love that he keeps playing and his confidence never changes depending on the shots he takes. We can always count on him to make the important shots. »
A confidence well reflected from behind towards his coach. “He makes the right choices and we have complete confidence in him. Joe, he's a basketball genius”, even assures the player. “So no matter what he says to me, I'm going to try to do it with all my might. »
| Derrick White | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2017-18 | SAN | 17 | 8 | 48.5 | 61.5 | 70.0 | 0.3 | 1.2 | 1.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.2 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 3.2 |
| 2018-19 | SAN | 67 | 26 | 47.9 | 33.8 | 77.2 | 0.5 | 3.2 | 3.7 | 3.9 | 2.2 | 1.0 | 1.5 | 0.7 | 9.9 |
| 2019-20 | SAN | 68 | 25 | 45.8 | 36.6 | 85.3 | 0.5 | 2.8 | 3.3 | 3.5 | 2.2 | 0.7 | 1.3 | 0.9 | 11.3 |
| 2020-21 | SAN | 36 | 30 | 41.1 | 34.6 | 85.1 | 0.4 | 2.6 | 3.0 | 3.5 | 2.5 | 0.7 | 1.3 | 1.0 | 15.4 |
| 2021-22 * | All Teams | 75 | 29 | 42.1 | 31.2 | 86.4 | 0.5 | 3.0 | 3.5 | 4.9 | 2.3 | 0.9 | 1.6 | 0.8 | 13.2 |
| 2021-22 * | SAN | 49 | 30 | 42.6 | 31.4 | 86.9 | 0.5 | 3.0 | 3.5 | 5.6 | 2.4 | 1.0 | 1.8 | 0.9 | 14.4 |
| 2021-22 * | BOS | 26 | 27 | 40.9 | 30.6 | 85.3 | 0.5 | 2.9 | 3.4 | 3.5 | 2.2 | 0.6 | 1.2 | 0.6 | 11.0 |
| 2022-23 | BOS | 82 | 28 | 46.2 | 38.1 | 87.5 | 0.6 | 2.9 | 3.6 | 3.9 | 2.2 | 0.7 | 1.2 | 0.9 | 12.4 |
| 2023-24 | BOS | 73 | 33 | 46.1 | 39.6 | 90.1 | 0.7 | 3.6 | 4.3 | 5.2 | 2.1 | 1.0 | 1.5 | 1.2 | 15.2 |
| Total | 418 | 28 | 45.0 | 36.3 | 85.4 | 0.6 | 3.0 | 3.5 | 4.1 | 2.2 | 0.8 | 1.4 | 0.9 | 12.3 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
