The Boston Celtics got off the mat, so to speak, and saved their playoff lives by winning Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals over the Miami Heat on Tuesday.
As is normally the case when they play well, Jayson Tatum led the way with 33 points on 14-of-22 shooting, 11 rebounds, and seven assists.
But guard Derrick White also chipped in with 16 points, two steals, and two blocked shots.
White may never make an All-Star team, but he has been something of a surprise factor for a Boston team that lacks role players that can be consistently depended on to manufacture points.
He has become the first player in NBA playoff history to score at least 200 points while shooting at least 50 percent overall, 45 percent from 3-point range, and 95 percent from the free-throw line, per StatMuse.
Derrick White this postseason:
12.6 PPG
50.3 FG%
45.3 3P%
95.8 FT%The first player in NBA history with 200+ PTS on 50/45/95% splits in a playoff run. pic.twitter.com/GzWHiBezxO
— StatMuse (@statmuse) May 24, 2023
White spent his first four-and-a-half seasons with the San Antonio Spurs, and he was one of a few players the Celtics acquired last year at midseason.
At that time, they were a mediocre team that was hovering around .500, but once White arrived, they went on a tear and became the NBA’s hottest squad.
He struggled in last year’s NBA Finals, which the Celtics lost to the Golden State Warriors, but he has shined brightly in this year’s postseason.
He was particularly hot in the first round against the Atlanta Hawks, scoring 24 points in Game 1 and 26 in Game 2 on some red-hot shooting.
If the Celtics are to make history and become the first NBA team to overcome a 3-0 series deficit, White may have to have a couple more performances like those.
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