Derrick White came to play in Game 1 of the NBA Finals.
Hitting five threes, White was an x-factor in Boston’s 120-108 victory in Game 1 on Thursday. The Celtics reserve swingman finished the game with 21 points on 6-of-11 shooting (54.5 percent), 5-for-8 from three (62.5 percent) and a perfect 4-of-4 from the free-throw line.
Two of White’s threes came in the pivotal fourth quarter, where Boston outscored Golden State 40-16, the most lopsided fourth quarter score in NBA Finals history. White even drilled a big three right in Stephen Curry’s face that tied the game midway through the fourth.
“A little bit of everything,” Celtics coach Ime Udoka said about White’s overall performance. “Obviously going five for eight from three. But play making, shot making and defense. You talk about we don’t have much drop-off when Marcus [Smart] goes out and he comes in, his size and versatility on the defensive end, playmaking ability to get guys involved and be aggressive on offense was huge tonight.”