Should Cs: Derrick White calls recreation

In a recreation that noticed the Boston Celtics and Minnesota Timberwolves fireplace up simply shy of 100 mixed three-pointers, probably the most comical try of the night time proved to be maybe crucial. Witness: Derrick White’s financial institution shot three-pointer to provide the Celtics an eight-point lead with 2:08 to play.

You may argue this shot’s standing as a “dagger,” given how the Wolves battled again within the ensuing two minutes to return inside a bricked Anthony Edwards pull-up from forcing additional time. However what’s inarguable is White’s affect down the stretch of this recreation. The financial institution shot was his second consecutive triple, coming as he scored 13 factors within the fourth quarter to assist bury the Wolves in one other shut recreation between the 2 franchises.

For the night time, White completed with 26 factors on 10-of-20 capturing, making 5 threes, grabbing two rebounds, dishing two assists and swatting two photographs. It was maybe his greatest particular person efficiency since scoring 31 in mid-November in a loss to the Hawks, as he slumped considerably in December, averaging 14.7 factors on 41.3% capturing from the sector.

The sturdy outing comes at an opportune time for White, who’s seeking to regain some momentum within the hunt for his first NBA All-Star choice. First returns from fan voting for the All-Star rosters had been launched earlier immediately and noticed White ranked tenth amongst Japanese Convention guards, slightly below Washington’s Jordan Poole and Miami’s Tyler Herro.

The Japanese Convention’s backcourt race is as crowded as ever, and White looks like a longshot for the roster at this time limit. Stringing collectively some extra standout performances like this — and maybe a couple of extra well timed financial institution photographs — may assist start to show the momentum again in his favor.