Over the past few seasons, Derrick White has been an indispensable part of the Boston Celtics’ success. White’s three-point shooting, versatile defense, and consistency have been vital to the Celtics. This season, White is having a career season, averaging 16.2 points, 4.4 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 1.1 blocks with 44.5/38.4/84.2 shooting splits. White’s fourth-quarter play has been especially impressive and crucial. Let’s dive into White’s fourth-quarter impact and how it elevates the Celtics.
Derrick White Helps Stabilize the Celtics’ Late Game Offense
In 9.2 fourth-quarter minutes per game, White averages 4.7 points on 47.2/40.9/83.9 shooting splits. Impressively, White ranks first on the team in fourth-quarter minutes, underscoring head coach Joe Mazzulla’s trust in him. Moreover, White ranks first on the team in fourth-quarter threes made and third in fourth-quarter points. Overall, White ranks fifth in the NBA for made fourth-quarter threes. White’s ability to improve his play down the stretch of games is incredibly valuable.
In a recent game against the New York Knicks, Boston had dominated the whole game. However, the Knicks started to mount a comeback before White caught fire, scoring nine points including three shots from beyond the arc in the fourth quarter. It’s been common for White to put teams away with his hot shooting late in games. Earlier this month, against the Cleveland Cavaliers White’s 14 fourth-quarter points were key to the Celtics’ success in a clutch time win. These two games also highlight White’s ability to step up against top-tier competition. After the Knicks game, Kristaps Porzingis praised White’s clutch play.
Kristaps Porzingis on Derrick White:
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“One thing I love about him is he always makes big shots…he can hit some deep corner three or some clutch three, he has this in his blood.”
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FULL INTERVIEW: https://t.co/Us1kMlu5Tc
by PrizePicks pic.twitter.com/PFfBlPvCm6
— Celtics on CLNS (@CelticsCLNS) February 23, 2025
White in Clutch Time Play
In clutch time play, White further elevates his game, averaging 2.3 points on staggering 70/66.7/83.3 shooting splits. White’s shooting efficiency in the clutch is truly remarkable and a luxury for the Celtics. Among players who have shot at least 10 clutch-time threes this season, White’s 66.7 percent from three is the best by a significant margin, he also ranks third in total clutch-time threes made.
Furthermore, White’s incredible true shooting percentage of 98.9 and effective field goal percentage of 100 ranks top five league-wide. White’s stellar efficiency with solid volume is infinitely valuable to the Celtics. His three-point shooting is especially valuable given the Celtics’ three-point-centric offense. When White shoots 50 percent or greater from three this season, the Celtics have a 16-3 record.
White is a Perfect Fit for the Celtics
Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown receive the majority of pressure from the defense, so having a dependable kickout or secondary shot-creation option does wonders for the Celtics’ offense. Boston’s offense is built around this drive-and-kick game. As a guard who can handle the ball but also excels playing off-ball White is truly an ideal fit next to Tatum and Brown. Paired with Jrue Holiday who offers a similar skill set the Celtics have a perfect team around their stars. White’s defensive impact is also vital, he often guards elite perimeter players and wreaks havoc off-ball as a shot blocker. In fourth quarter play White leads all starters in defensive win-shares.
The Jays are obviously the Celtics’ most important players, however, White has a strong case Boston’s third most valuable player Porzingis is the other player with a strong case. Exceptional secondary stars are a key part of a championship core and the Celtics have several of them. Ultimately, White’s clutch play, shooting versatile defense, playmaking, and secondary creation abilities are vital to an all-around elite Celtics squad. Given his ability to perform in big moments, White will be even more important to the Celtics in the playoffs.
Photo credit: © Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images
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