Celtics’ Joe Mazzulla Praises Derrick White After Career Night

Derrick White produced a memorable defensive performance as the Boston Celtics secured a 129-119 win over the Utah Jazz on Tuesday, Dec. 30. The veteran guard ended the game with a career-high seven blocks, tying Dennis Johnson for guards with the most blocks in a single game.

During his postgame news conference, head coach Joe Mazzulla discussed White’s block party and the increased defensive role he has adopted this season.

“I think a couple of them came on ball, a couple of them came off ball,” Mazzulla said. “And so I think this year his role has grown. Tonight, when we went with Derrick, Payton, Anthony and Jaylen, and, you know, he has to guard the other team’s best players. So we got a couple on pick-and-rolls, on pull-up threes at the beginning of the game when he’s kind of roaming, and on guys that we could shift off of. He does a good job of coming in and knowing when to help and when not to. So just his defensive versatility.”

With Jrue Holiday no longer on the roster, both White and Jaylen Brown have stepped up when defending the point of attack. Both are capable of shutting down the opposing team’s best player and spearheading Boston’s perimeter defense.

Nevertheless, White has steadily been trending toward becoming the best shot-blocking guard in the NBA. His seven against Utah may mean that he’s firmly established himself in that role.

White’s impact went far beyond his block tally. He ended the game with 27 points, seven rebounds, six assists and seven blocks. He shot 50% from the field on 8-of-16, but struggled from deep, going just 2-of-10.

Boston will need White to continue playing at his current level as the team navigates a West Coast road trip. The Celtics’ next game will be on Thursday, Jan. 1, when they face the Sacramento Kings.