While much of the conversation after Game 2 of the 2024 NBA Finals centered around whether Boston Celtics guard Derrick White's game-clinching block should have been called a foul, there is no debate about the impact the former San Antonio Spur is having on the series. It's a reality Hall of Fame Coach Gregg Popovich has seen coming for several years.
In addition to the block on Dallas Mavericks forward P.J. Washington that would've cut the Celtics lead to three with 50 seconds still remaining, White scored 18 points, grabbed five rebounds, and dished out two assists. Defensively, he collected three steals and had another rejection in the 105-98 victory that put Boston up 2-0 over Dallas.
It's the latest performance in a string of impressive outings by the former Colorado Buffalo.
Derrick White continues to shine for the Celtics
White's well-rounded effort over the weekend came off the heels of a 15-point, five-assist, two-rebound, one-steal Game 1. Through the playoffs, the 29-year-old guard ranks behind only Boston's two superstars, Jayson Tatum and Jaylon Brown, in scoring. His 17.6 points per game this postseason have helped the team with the best record in the league offset the absence of Kristaps Porzingis. It's White's third postseason and second Finals series in Beantown.
In the 2022 run to the NBA's championship series, White scored 22 points on 7-for-14 shooting with five assists and three steals in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Miami Heat. In Game 1 of those NBA Finals, he put up 21 points alongside three assists during a 120-108 comeback victory over the Golden State Warriors. The Celtics would lose that series in six games after blowing a 2-1 lead.
Gregg Popovich saw Derrick White's potential
February 10th, 2022 proved a turning point for White. What came before then prepared him for his days with Boston. The Spurs took the Parker, Colorado native with the 29th pick of the 2017 NBA Draft.
White became a mainstay in San Antonio, not to mention a Popovich favorite. This season, the Celtics made their only trip to the Alamo City in December.
“I just couldn’t be more proud of the player,” Popovich said then. “When he first came, I don’t think he believed he belonged in the NBA. To watch him develop through the years here, starting with the G League, playing with us and starting for us, and then taking more steps in Boston has just been a thrill to watch.”
White's scoring average and overall game, including a defensive prowess that's always been there, improved in every one of his first four seasons. His fifth season coincided with the beginnings of Spurs actions that would eventually land them Victor Wembanyama, meaning acquiring assets was more of a priority than winning games. San Antonio netted draft compensation as part of the deal that sent White to Boston.
“He’s one of the greatest guys ever, and his confidence has just exploded. It’s been a process. He’s been in the league six, seven years, but he’s a great story: starting out at the bottom and believing in himself and doing the work necessary to get where he is now. So I’m just thrilled for him,” Popovich added.
Thrilled can also be used to describe how the Celtics feel to have White, especially as they close in on what would be an NBA best 18th championship.
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