When Jayson Tatum went down with a torn Achilles, the world wrote the Celtics off.
Derrick White didn’t write back.
The Boston guard had 34 points and shot 7-13 from beyond the arc to lead his team to a 127-102 win at TD Garden.
But it wasn’t about how White ended it as much as how he started.
After their best player suffered a devastating injury, it was crucial that the Celtics got out to a hot start.
White ensured that with a fiery first quarter, scoring 14 points (4-5 3pm) in the first 9 minutes of the game.
Derrick White is on a HEATER 🔥
He has 14 points and 4-of-5 from three with minutes left in the 1st quarter.pic.twitter.com/vRlLS7vRcJ
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) May 14, 2025
It’s White’s second 30-point performance of these playoffs, but it’s not all he’s good for. The guard was also all over the floor, playing stout defense against Knicks’ superstar Jalen Brunson.
White was incredible but it was a team effort by the Celtics. Luke Kornet had the game of his life, dropping 10 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 blocks. It’s the third-most blocks ever off the bench in a playoff game.
“Whenever the Knicks had a chance to score inside, the 7-foot-1 center with arms that seem even longer was there,” Billy Heyen of the Sporting News wrote.
Boston is still down 3-2 in the series without its star and headed back to New York, but performances from White and Kornet show that there’s hope for the Celtics, now and next season.
MORE: Celtics’ Jaylen Brown notches career-high assists to make up for Jayson Tatum’s injury absence
Luke Kornet just made Kristaps Porzingis irrelevant with shot-blocking masterpiece
