Celtics’ Jaylen Brown sends Derrick White message to fans after Game 1 masterpiece vs. Cavs

Derrick White has proven his value to the Boston Celtics over and over again, with his play even garnering a push from fans and media members for him to be named an All-Star or All-NBA player this season. And White’s teammate Jaylen Brown gave his efficient and hard-working teammate a shoutout after the Celtics’ dominant Game 1 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Following Boston’s 120-95 home victory against Donovan Mitchell and the Cavs, Brown was asked if White’s Game 1 performance (25 points, 5 rebounds, 7-12 3PT) was “surprising.”

“If you don’t know Derrick White, you better get to know him,” Brown said. “That man has been balling and he’s just getting started, man. Hell of a game for him tonight.”

Derrick White continues hot playoff run

The only NBA accolade to Derrick White’s name is an All-Defensive 2nd Team selection last season, but those who have watched the Boston Celtics over the past few seasons know how invaluable White has been to Boston’s success. In addition to his remarkable, game-winning tip-in in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals last year against the Miami Heat, White has consistently become a heavily relied-upon player for the Celtics.

Since being acquired by the Celtics in a trade with the San Antonio Spurs during the 2021-22 season, White’s role has continued to expand. Rarely a starter when he first arrived in Boston, White became a regular part of the starting five last season, during which he started 70 of 82 regular-season games but still didn’t crack 30 minutes per game as Joe Mazzulla rolled with an eight-man rotation that included Marcus Smart and Malcolm Brogdon in the backcourt.

With Smart and Brogdon both gone this season, however, White started every game in which he played this season and became arguably the Celtics’ most important guard. He certainly took a step up offensively. After averaging 12.4 points and 3.9 assists on shooting splits of 46.2% FG / 38.1% 3PT / 87.5% FT last season, White took more shots and not only maintained his efficiency but improved it this season, as evident by his 15.2 points and 5.2 assists per game while shooting 46.1% FG / 39.6% 3PT / 90.1% FT.

In the playoffs, White has shined even brighter, though. White showed flashes of brilliance last postseason, but so far this year, White’s white-hot offense has transformed the Celtics’ already great offense. Through six postseason games, White has scored 20 or more points in four, including a 38-point showing in Game 4 vs. the Miami Heat, and has been unstoppable from the perimeter. While Jayson Tatum has struggled to find his shot, White is shooting 50% from beyond the three-point line on a team-high 9.3 attempts per game. He leads all players in the playoffs so far in true shooting percentage, three-point field goals made, and effective field goal percentage.

If White can even somewhat maintain what he has done to this point in the playoffs, the Celtics, especially when Tatum breaks out of his slump, would seem nearly impossible to beat.

The Celtics have a chance to take a commanding 2-0 series lead over the Cavaliers tomorrow. Game 2 is scheduled to tip off around 7 p.m. ET in Boston.