Derrick White recorded 26 points, six rebounds, four assists, and three blocks in 45 minutes during Game 7 of the Eastern Conference playoffs. The Boston Celtics lost to the Philadelphia 76ers with a score of 109-100. This defeat marked the first time in franchise history that the Celtics blew a 3-1 series lead.
White’s performance stood out as he was the only Celtic providing consistent offense during Game 7. He scored at least 20 points for the first time in these playoffs and for the first time since mid-March. Jayson Tatum was out due to left knee stiffness before Game 7, which impacted Boston’s overall performance.
Key statistics from Game 7:
- Derrick White: 26 points, six rebounds, four assists, three blocks
- Celtics score: 109
- 76ers score: 100
The Celtics had a strong season overall but faced challenges in the playoffs. They averaged significant contributions from their players throughout the regular season, with White averaging 16.5 points per game.
Jaylen Brown commented on the team’s resilience despite missing Tatum, stating, “I felt great about how our team responded, obviously down one of our best players.” Coach Joe Mazzulla expressed confidence during the game but acknowledged the loss was unexpected.
The Celtics now face questions about their future following this historic collapse. They will need to regroup as they assess their performance in this year’s NBA playoffs.
