Derrick White Excites NBA Fans as Jayson Tatum, Celtics Beat Heat ...

17 days ago
Doric SamApril 30, 2024

Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images

Derrick White - Figure 1
Photo Bleacher Report

Call it The Derrick White Game.

The Boston Celtics point guard had the performance of a lifetime to lead his team to a dominant 102-88 win over the Miami Heat in Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Monday. White poured in a playoff career-high 38 points with eight three-pointers as the Celtics took a commanding 3-1 series lead ahead of Wednesday's Game 5 in Boston.

From the start of the game, it was clear that it was going to be a special night for White. He scored 16 points in the first quarter and entered halftime with 22 points and six three-pointers.

White began doing damage inside the arc in the second half with a pair of poster dunks. The 29-year-old also made his presence felt on the defensive end, finishing with a game-high three blocks. He's the first player in NBA history to finish with 35+ points, eight threes and three blocks in a playoff game.

Thanks to the stellar effort by White, Boston's star duo of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown didn't have to shoulder their usual load. Tatum finished with 18 points and Brown added 15. Kristaps Porzingis also exited the game early due to a right calf injury and was limited to seven points in 14 minutes.

The Heat once again were without star forward Jimmy Butler, who continued to sit with a knee injury. Bam Adebayo led the way with 25 points and 17 rebounds, and Tyler Herro added 19 points. Miami shot poorly from three-point range, finishing 9-of-33 (27.3 percent) from beyond the arc.

But the night belonged to White, as Boston's floor general was the talk of social media on Monday night:

Bleacher Report @BleacherReport

Derrick White right now <a href="https://t.co/aZTBWeMjRd">pic.twitter.com/aZTBWeMjRd</a>

StatMuse @statmuse

The only players in NBA history to record<br><br>35+ points<br>8+ threes<br>3+ blocks <br><br>in a playoff game. <a href="https://t.co/VXymuYTCHb">pic.twitter.com/VXymuYTCHb</a>

Dan Greenberg @StoolGreenie

Derrick White. That's it. That's the tweet <a href="https://t.co/H9GINo8pfr">pic.twitter.com/H9GINo8pfr</a>

Bleacher Report @BleacherReport

Derrick White has 6 THREES in the first half of Game 4 vs. Heat ???? <a href="https://t.co/Zhiz6AwPuU">pic.twitter.com/Zhiz6AwPuU</a>

Complex Sports @ComplexSports

Every Heat player trying to guard Derrick White tonight <a href="https://t.co/S873wnvk2W">pic.twitter.com/S873wnvk2W</a>

Ry @RyKingzz

Derrick White every time he sees anyone with a Miami Heat jersey on <a href="https://t.co/pFUomIShMb">pic.twitter.com/pFUomIShMb</a>

Taylor Snow @taylorcsnow

Derrick White with back-to-back dunks.<br><br>Previously had 5 total dunks in his playoff career. <a href="https://t.co/8TrULovlzy">pic.twitter.com/8TrULovlzy</a>

Celtics on NBC Sports Boston @NBCSCeltics

Another look at Derrick White's first-half threes ???? <a href="https://t.co/wGaJJ0AB33">pic.twitter.com/wGaJJ0AB33</a>

Austin @ChefTrillie

I need an irrelevant team in the west to throw a max at Derrick White so he can stop ruining my life

White will look to keep the momentum going when the Celtics and Heat return to action in Game 5 on Wednesday.

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