Derrick White watched calmly as his teammates celebrated on Monday night. Jayson Tatum threw the ball high, Al Horford rushed toward the coaching staff, and Jaylen Brown eventually lifted the Eastern Conference finals MVP trophy. Even coach Joe Mazzulla shared the joy with his wife.
Meanwhile, White seemed eager to return to action after his crucial 3-pointer with 43 seconds remaining. This shot secured a 105-102 victory for the Boston Celtics, sealing their second trip to the Eastern Conference finals with a 4-0 sweep over the Indiana Pacers.
Brown praised White’s shot, emphasizing their practice on such plays. Brown, who scored 29 points, made six rebounds, and crucially blocked a shot to maintain the lead, highlighted White’s readiness and the significance of his shot in sending them to the finals.
Despite White’s relatively modest performance before the crucial shot, he stepped up when it mattered most. While players like Brown, Tatum, Jrue Holiday, and even the veteran Horford had taken the spotlight earlier, White’s poised execution in the crucial moment left a lasting mark in Boston Celtics’ history.
Looking ahead, the Celtics will face either Dallas or Minnesota in the finals. Currently, the Mavericks lead the Western Conference finals with a 3-0 advantage.
White expressed confidence in their abilities, stating they feel prepared for any challenge they might face. He emphasized the importance of finding the right solutions as they move forward.
Boston’s win happened exactly a year after White’s crucial play helped the Celtics tie the conference finals against Miami, although they eventually lost Game 7. This season, they’ve been on a winning streak, triumphing in seven consecutive playoff games, remaining unbeaten in six away games, and securing victory in all three elimination matches.
The Pacers posed a tough challenge, especially considering their flawless home record before ending the season with two losses at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Despite Indiana’s resilience, Boston managed to secure victories, even when trailing or tied in the final minutes of the game.
Coach Rick Carlisle had promised that his team would put up a fight to prolong their season, and indeed, the young roster delivered as expected.
There were moments of tension during the game, particularly in the third quarter when Pacers’ center Myles Turner collided with White, leading to a brief altercation between Turner and Brown, who was named the series MVP.
Additionally, there was concern when Brown accidentally hit T.J. McConnell, resulting in McConnell falling to the ground. However, these incidents didn’t alter the competitive nature of the game or the series, with the Pacers remaining resilient throughout.
Carlisle commended his team for their effort throughout the playoffs, despite missing Haliburton. He credited the Celtics for their late-game performances in the last two matches, acknowledging their ability to make crucial plays.
Andrew Nembhard contributed significantly with 24 points, 10 assists, and six rebounds for the Pacers, but his missed 3-pointer in the final moments cost them a chance to tie the game.
Indiana also saw strong performances from Pascal Siakam with 19 points and 10 rebounds, T.J. McConnell with 15 points, and Aaron Nesmith with 14.
However, the Celtics once again asserted dominance in the latter stages of the game. They narrowed the gap to 102-100 with Tatum’s dunk, tied the score with Brown’s jumper, and then took the lead with White’s 3-pointer.
During this crucial stretch, Boston forced two turnovers and Brown blocked Nembhard’s shot near the rim. Despite Indiana’s efforts, they couldn’t capitalize on their final possession, allowing Jrue Holiday to secure the rebound and run out the clock.
Reflecting on the game, Tatum expressed relief and highlighted the Celtics’ perseverance. He acknowledged their struggles with missed opportunities throughout the night but praised White’s decisive shot as a game-changer.
