It all started on Memorial Day Weekend in 2023 when Derrick White pulled off one of the most improbable game-winning shots in Celtics history. With just 0.1 seconds left on the clock in Miami, he hit a put-back layup that forced a Game 7 in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Since that moment, White hasn’t hit another buzzer-beater of that magnitude. Meanwhile, Jaylen Brown’s fallaway dagger in Game 1 of the 2024 Eastern Conference Finals and Jayson Tatum’s continued late-game heroics have often overshadowed him. But make no mistake — White has been dominant. In fact, he’s been the Celtics’ most clutch player and one of the best in the league.
Statistics define “clutch time” as the final five minutes of a game where the score is within five points. This season, Derrick White has been elite in those moments, racking up 42 points on 11/17 shooting from the field, 10/16 shooting from behind the arc, and an astounding 94.25% true shooting percentage.
League-wide, those numbers place White fifth in three-point percentage and inside the top-16 in field goal percentage in the clutch—an even greater feat considering his two-month shooting slump. Even at his coldest, he delivered when the Celtics needed him most.
Stacking up White with his teammates makes his impact even more striking. Jayson Tatum shoots 19.2% from three in the clutch. Brown sits at 44.4%. The other starters, Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis, hit 33.3% and 25.0% respectively. White buries a mind-blowing 66.7% of his clutch threes while attempting the second-most attempts on the team.
But this is nothing new. During the playoff run last season, White hit another gear. In six games that reached clutch time, White led the team in average three-point percentage, free throw percentage, assists, and blocks—all without committing a single turnover.
But don’t just take my word for it. Joe Mazzulla trusts White more than almost anyone, playing him 4.4 clutch minutes per contest— second-most on the team behind Tatum. Essentially, White never comes off the floor when the game is tight. After White’s near triple-double against the Knicks, Porzingis said that White has the clutch gene “in his blood,” and is “always hitting really timely shots.”
David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Beyond any advanced statistic or glowing review from his teammates, Celtics fan knows one thing; Derrick White always makes the right play when it matters most. Whether it’s a dagger three, timely rebound, or lockdown defense on an opposing guard, he’s as steady as the tide.
Championships aren’t won by superstars alone—they’re secured by the players who rise to the occasion when it matters most. The greatest teams in NBA history have all had “jack-of-all-trades” players like White. The Spurs relied on Manu Ginóbili, the Warriors leaned on Andre Iguodala, and the Heat wouldn’t have a 2013 title without Ray Allen’s legendary shot.
While Tatum and Brown continue to rightfully take the spotlight, White will continue to thrive in game-deciding moments. So, while his game-winner against Miami in 2023 remains his iconic moment, it wasn’t an anomaly. It’s just what he does. If the Celtics reach the mountaintop again, it will be in no small part because of Derrick White. The quiet assassin won’t demand the spotlight — but when the moment comes, he’ll be ready.
