Derrick

White

White got his Game 7 off to an excellent start, scoring 19 points in the first half. However, the 76ers, specifically VJ Edgecombe, did a much better job of defending him in the second half. White made some history, joining Kevin Durant (2018) and Robert Covington (2020) as the only players to record at least five three-pointers and three blocks in a Game 7, but it wasn’t enough to get the shorthanded Celtics over the finish line. Shooting was an issue for the Celtics’ guard throughout the season, but the ability to fill a stat line preserved his fantasy value. Managers should expect more of the same from White in 2026-27, hopefully with a more accurate jump shot.

On a day when starter Derrick White (6/6/3/1/2 with two three-pointers) attempted just five shots, Pritchard stepped up with one of the best outings of his postseason career. The 32 points, a playoff career-high for Pritchard, were two shy of the Celtics franchise record for most in a playoff game by a reserve, which Kevin McHale still holds. While he made too many starts to qualify for NBA Sixth Man of the Year honors, Pritchard remains one of the best reserve scorers in the league. And he reminded Philadelphia of that in Game 4. The Celtics will look to close out the series on Tuesday night.

With six players in double figures and stars Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum combining to score 51 points, the Celtics did not need much scoring from White. Shooting 2-of-7 from three, the veteran guard dished out six assists and committed just one turnover. White’s ability to fill the stat line is what made him so valuable to fantasy managers during the regular season, and it has made him an important piece in Boston since his acquisition during the 2021-22 campaign.

The Celtics have already ruled out four of their five starters for Sunday’s regular-season finale, as the outcome will not impact their playoff seeding. White’s absence should free up additional minutes for Ron Harper Jr. and Max Shulga. As for Queta, there will be more playing time available for Luka Garza, and Amari Williams could get rotation minutes as well.

White will play both games of the Celtics’ back-to-back, with the team still one win away from guaranteeing itself the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. The Pelicans are shorthanded, so this may be a spot where the Celtics can give their available regulars a little more time on the bench.

Despite dealing with a knee contusion, White will be available on Thursday when the Celtics take the floor at Madison Square Garden. White provides high-level perimeter defense and a balance of scoring and playmaking on the offensive end. He’s averaged 18.7 points against the Knicks in their three matchups this season.

Questionable with a right knee contusion, White did some shooting during Thursday’s pregame session and was in his practice uniform. However, Jaylen Brown (Achilles) was not in uniform. Both remain questionable for Thursday night’s game, with the Celtics one win away from sewing up the No. 2 seed in the East.

Thursday’s game is the first of two in as many nights for the Celtics, who are one win away from locking up the two-seed for the Eastern Conference playoffs. While White sitting would likely push Payton Pritchard into the starting lineup, Jordan Walsh and Hugo González would have more prominent roles if Brown can’t play.

While he did make 75 percent of his shot attempts in Wednesday’s win over the Heat, White attempted just four shots. Friday’s performance does a lot more in terms of boosting the confidence of those rostering the Celtics guard, who shot 37.1 percent from the field in his previous nine appearances going into Milwaukee. White shot over 50 percent from the field, and even though the final stat line did not have any defensive stats, the assists and three-pointers were good.

Back in the Celtics’ lineup after missing Sunday’s win over the Hornets, White had a tough night shooting the basketball in Atlanta. He made one of his six attempts from three and was not much better from two, shooting 2-of-6. However, as has been the case throughout the season, White found other ways to add value. The Celtics’ guard finished with a complete stat line, helping lessen the impact of the poor shooting. Over the last two weeks, White has been shooting 33.8 percent from the field, which is low for a player of his caliber. The Celtics play three more games in Week 23, starting with the Heat on Wednesday.