Sometimes it takes a little help from fate to find a smile again. Derrick White got those from the Basketball Gods on Thursday, with just over two minutes remaining against the Wolves. On a complicated baseline throw-in with just six seconds left on the possession, the Celtics guard was found, with few other options than to unleash a 3-pointer in the corner despite the deterrence of Julius Randle in front of him.
His prayer ended its trajectory against the board for a perfect string. The symbol of newfound success for Derrick White, boosted by his coach Joe Mazzulla before the match against Minnesota.
A true barometer of the reigning champion, Derrick White went through a difficult month of December, like all the Celtics (eight victories for six defeats). His percentages dropped from 47.6% in the first 19 games to just 41.3% in December, including 35.1% from 3-point range, and an increasing turnover average.
“ It's part of the season » explained the former Spurs player at The Athletic. “ There are always ups and downs, but I felt like I needed to do a little more. And I think you're always your own worst critic, so I just had to try to be a little better, have the right mindset, the right energy and just try to help us win matches. »
Answered prayer
Like on this slightly lucky shot against the Wolves, but above all decisive for Boston which went from five to eight points ahead, and which held on by not scoring a single point in the last 124 seconds to win… by three points. “ Clearly, I thought I was going to end up in touch, so I just threw the ball towards the circle and hoped for the best » admitted Derrick White. “ There was a possibility that I could find the board, so that's what I hoped for. »
Luck then, but also a hint of hope, instilled in particular by Joe Mazzulla before the match to get his player out of his bad patch. “ I just reminded him how great he is » explained the technician from Boston. “ He has that ability to impact the game in so many different ways. I thought he was great tonight, obviously with his shooting quality, but just by launching our attack, making sure that the start of the second and fourth quarters went as planned. »
“The rest of the world understands its true value”
With 26 points – his second highest total of the season – at 5/10 at 3-points, Derrick White was one of the great architects of this important success to revive the Celtics a little. “ Derrick is so important to our team » insisted Jayson Tatum at Boston.com. “ I believe the rest of the league, and even the rest of the world understands his true value, how talented he is and how much he brings to us every night. »
Compliments like it rained for the X factor of Boston, the way to put him back in the game while a hellish schedule looms. The Celtics are just beginning their “road trip” to the West which will see them travel to Houston, Oklahoma City and Denver by next Tuesday.
| 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 | 1.4 | 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 | 0.6 | 1.3 | 0.9 | 11.2 |
| 2020-21 | SAN | 36 | 30 | 41.1 | 34.6 | 85.1 | 0.4 | 2.6 | 3.0 | 3.5 | 2.5 | 0.7 | 1.2 | 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 | 3.5 | 4.2 | 5.2 | 2.1 | 1.0 | 1.5 | 1.2 | 15.2 |
| 2024-25 | BOS | 32 | 34 | 45.2 | 39.2 | 83.8 | 1.0 | 3.7 | 4.6 | 4.6 | 2.2 | 1.0 | 1.7 | 1.2 | 16.8 |
| Total | 450 | 28 | 45.0 | 36.7 | 85.3 | 0.6 | 3.0 | 3.6 | 4.1 | 2.1 | 0.8 | 1.4 | 0.9 | 12.6 | |
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.
