MIAMI — The Derrick White of present day looks significantly different than the guard the Celtics traded for two years ago. Back then, his teammates pushed him to shoot more and be aggressive — that’s when he’s at his best, they claimed.
It’s been a process for the C’s to empower him to be the player he is today. But as White put together an impressive regular season, it was clear the Celtics’ words got to him. Then White took it to a next level in Game 4 on Monday, pouring in a career-high 38 points in a team-high 41 minutes.
The Celtics blew out the Heat to take a 3-1 series lead as White’s fingerprints were all over the win. Then postgame, all White did was praise his teammates for helping him get to this point. He also added the effort actually starts with C’s coach Joe Mazzulla.
“Ever since he took over he’s just giving me the most confidence,” White said. “I can talk to him; he can talk to me. That relationship is getting better and better each day and it’s amazing to play for him and I love it. Obviously the teammates, guys are such great players on the team but they allow me to do what I do and believe in me, and I think that’s big.”
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The Celtics needed White all night even though the score was once again lopsided in favor of the visitors — especially after Kristaps Porzingis went down with a calf injury. But for a stretch in the first half, as missed shots piled up, it was a stalemate between two struggling offensive squads. So that’s when White’s 22 points in the first half gave the C’s a much-needed jolt as he was everywhere with his play.
White’s play is also symbolic in some ways of the Celtics’ impressive depth. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown both had off-nights even though they combined for 37 points. Tatum shot 5-for-14 from the field while Brown was at 7-for-18, including a six-turnover game, so they weren’t at their best. But no worries as they still grinded their way to a win with White leading the way.
“When he’s being aggressive, it just opens everything up,” Tatum said. “Whatever they’re trying to take away, maybe for myself, when your teammates are hitting shots and being aggressive and attacking closeouts and making plays, it really makes us very, very hard to guard. You want everybody to be assertive and be aggressive and try to make plays. It just makes us a better team.”
White has now scored in double-figures in four games in the first round, showcasing some of that consistency. Next up, though, is following up his stellar Game 4 with another solid outing.
White pointed out that he’s had great playoff performances in the past — it’s just that the follow-up games don’t meet his standard. So with the Celtics having a closeout Game 5 at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Garden, White will look to continue his stellar play while also eliminating the Heat in the first round.
“It’s unreal,” White said. “I think any person that kind of gets a couple going in and then you start making some tough ones and then you feel like you just can’t miss, that basket’s huge. It’s awesome. A lot of fun. Just trying to move on to the next one because I know it’s not going to be easy. I’ve had great games in the past in the playoffs and I didn’t really respond well, so I’m not trying to repeat that.”
