Derrick White is quietly dominating in the biggest moments

It began on Memorial Day Weekend in 2023 when Derrick White pulled off some of the unbelievable game-winning pictures in Celtics historical past. With simply 0.1 seconds left on the clock in Miami, he hit a put-back layup that pressured a Sport 7 within the Jap Convention Finals.

Since that second, White hasn’t hit one other buzzer-beater of that magnitude. In the meantime, Jaylen Brown’s fallaway dagger in Sport 1 of the 2024 Jap Convention Finals and Jayson Tatum’s continued late-game heroics have usually overshadowed him. However make no mistake — White has been dominant. Actually, he’s been the Celtics’ most clutch participant and the most effective within the league.

Statistics outline “clutch time” as the ultimate 5 minutes of a recreation the place the rating is inside 5 factors. This season, Derrick White has been elite in these moments, racking up 42 factors on 11/17 capturing from the sector, 10/16 capturing from behind the arc, and an astounding 94.25% true capturing proportion.

League-wide, these numbers place White fifth in three-point proportion and contained in the top-16 in discipline objective proportion within the clutch—a fair higher feat contemplating his two-month capturing hunch. Even at his coldest, he delivered when the Celtics wanted him most.

Stacking up White along with his teammates makes his influence much more putting. Jayson Tatum shoots 19.2% from three within the clutch. Brown sits at 44.4%. The opposite starters, Jrue Vacation and Kristaps Porzingis, hit 33.3% and 25.0% respectively. White buries a mind-blowing 66.7% of his clutch threes whereas making an attempt the second-most makes an attempt on the staff.

However that is nothing new. In the course of the playoff run final season, White hit one other gear. In six video games that reached clutch time, White led the staff in common three-point proportion, free throw proportion, assists, and blocks—all with out committing a single turnover.

However don’t simply take my phrase for it. Joe Mazzulla trusts White greater than virtually anybody, enjoying him 4.4 clutch minutes per contest— second-most on the staff behind Tatum. Primarily, White by no means comes off the ground when the sport is tight. After White’s close to triple-double towards the Knicks, Porzingis stated that White has the clutch gene “in his blood,” and is “at all times hitting actually well timed pictures.”

Past any superior statistic or glowing evaluate from his teammates, Celtics fan is aware of one factor; Derrick White at all times makes the suitable play when it issues most. Whether or not it’s a dagger three, well timed rebound, or lockdown protection on an opposing guard, he’s as regular because the tide.

Championships aren’t gained by superstars alone—they’re secured by the gamers who rise to the event when it issues most. The best groups in NBA historical past have all had “jack-of-all-trades” gamers like White. The Spurs relied on Manu Ginóbili, the Warriors leaned on Andre Iguodala, and the Warmth wouldn’t have a 2013 title with out Ray Allen’s legendary shot.

Whereas Tatum and Brown proceed to rightfully take the highlight, White will proceed to thrive in game-deciding moments. So, whereas his game-winner towards Miami in 2023 stays his iconic second, it wasn’t an anomaly. It’s simply what he does. If the Celtics attain the mountaintop once more, it will likely be in no small half due to Derrick White. The quiet murderer gained’t demand the highlight — however when the second comes, he’ll be prepared.