Celtics’ Derrick White Feared NBA Finals Incident Would Backfire In Olympics

Celtics guard Derrick White, like many Boston teammates, too, underwent a busy and challenging summer specifically recovering from a costly incident during the team’s NBA Finals Game 5 clincher over three months ago.

White chipped one tooth and loosened two others when hitting the ground hard while diving for a loose ball in the second quarter of Game 5 against the Dallas Mavericks. In real-time, the 29-year-old didn’t mind the sacrifice contributing to Boston’s record-setting 18th championship, but White explained the process of getting his pearly whites back intact for a Celtics re-run was extremely tedious — and created a concern.

“I got the temporary (teeth) for (the parade), and then I was supposed to get them fixed, and then I got the Olympics call,” White said, per NBC Sports Boston. “So I was nervous the whole time that my teeth were gonna fall out during the Olympics. But after the Olympics I got them fixed. And then, (later on) I had to go back to the dentist and I got three root canals. I’ve been to the dentist — those two trips — for like eight hours, but great people in the dentist’s office there. They are taking good care of me so shoutout to them.”

Initially, the plan was for Los Angeles Clippers star Kawhi Leonard to play for Team USA. But once Leonard felt concerned about his surgically repaired right knee after participating in USA Basketball’s pre-Olympic training camp, Steve Kerr, Erik Spoelstra and Grant Hill recruited White as Leonard’s replacement. And from the jump, without missing a tooth, White contributed, first with a game-saving block against South Sudan in the Olympics showcasing and then again — also against South Sudan — in the qualifying round by scoring 10 points with three steals and a block in 17 minutes.

White averaged 3.8 points, 1.4 rebounds, 1.6 assists and a team-leading 1.4 steals per game, playing 15.8 minutes in the (exact) same fashion Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla is accustomed to — contesting shots, deflecting passes left and right, taking high-efficient shots and doing everything that doesn’t log itself in the boxscore. USA Basketball benefitted from White’s on-brand style of basketball and captured its 17th overall and fifth consecutive gold medal after defeating Team France in the final round.

“It was amazing just getting that phone call,” White explained on media day. “I was just kind of home chilling, relaxing and just getting the call and being part of that team with legends of the game, people that are the best in this game. I was just thankful just to be a part of that team and to just go out there and learn as much and try to help us win the gold, which was obviously a special moment. So it was a good summer, and I enjoyed it.”