The Celtics' offseason trade for Sixth Man of the Year award winner Malcolm Brogdon was a game-changer, but the emergence and development of Derrick White has been just as impactful for Boston.
White proved that yet again in Boston's series-tying victory against the Philadelphia 76ers at TD Garden on Wednesday night.
White, who averaged just 8.5 points on 31% from 3-point range in last year's NBA playoffs, recorded his sixth game in double figures this postseason and his third-quarter contributions proved pivotal. It led Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla to praise the 28-year-old guard, who finished with Boston's second-best rating in Game 2 at plus-23.
"I think the guys have a great awareness to momentum, in general. And I think momentum is such a huge part to the playoffs and games, and it's constantly shifting back and forth," Mazzulla told reporters, per CLNS Media. "D-White is on the list of our momentum guys, one or two plays he makes really helps our team. Each guy has the gifts to do that and so those plays throughout the game just kind of help us."
White's momentum-building skillset was on display at various points, but it was most glaring in the third quarter when the Celtics outscored the Sixers 35-16. White scored 10 of his 15 points in the period as he and Brogdon took turns hitting 3-pointers, ultimately propelling the Green on a 19-5 scoring run in the final four minutes of the period. It extended Boston's 13-point lead to 27 entering the fourth quarter and ultimately put the game away.
White had another under-the-radar momentum play in the second quarter when his hustle for an offensive rebound granted Al Horford an open 3-pointer. Horford's basket with less than five minutes left in the first half provided Boston its largest lead of the game.
White was recognized by 76ers head coach Doc Rivers after the game, too.
"You know Jaylen (Brown) and Jayson (Tatum) are good every night, at least you account for that," Rivers told reporters. "But White, I don't know if he scored a lot, but he was huge for them. His effort, keeping the ball alive, he made plays."
White will have the opportunity to provide the Celtics with more of those momentum plays when Boston faces Philadelphia in Game 3 on Friday. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET.
