The Boston Celtics received positive news on both the injury and standings fronts ahead of Friday night’s matchup against the Atlanta Hawks at TD Garden.
Guard Derrick White has been cleared to play after being listed as questionable with a right knee contusion, while the New York Knicks’ loss to the Charlotte Hornets created additional separation in the race for the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference.
The combination gives Boston a timely boost as they continue to navigate a tight late-season stretch with playoff positioning on the line.
White Cleared After Recent Shooting Dip
White is coming off a modest 12-point performance in Boston’s 119-109 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday, finishing 3-of-11 from the field and 2-of-7 from three while adding six assists in 33 minutes.
While the Celtics secured the victory behind Jaylen Brown’s 31-point outburst, White has experienced a noticeable dip in scoring efficiency recently. Over his last four games, he has not exceeded 15 points, averaging 13.0 points while shooting 38.8% from the field and just 22.2% from beyond the arc.
The shift coincides with Jayson Tatum’s return to his primary offensive role after missing significant time earlier this season. With Tatum and Brown carrying the bulk of the scoring load, White has naturally settled back into a complementary role — one he has excelled in throughout his career.
Despite the recent shooting struggles, White remains one of Boston’s most impactful two-way players. Through 68 games this season, he is averaging 17.2 points, 5.5 assists, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.2 steals while leading the team with a cumulative +517 plus/minus.
His value has drawn praise from opposing coaches around the league.
“There are certain guys that get labeled as role players, but they execute the role so well that they ascend out of that category,” Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault said. “He’s one of them… He’s been a connective tissue for them in terms of the success they’ve had.”
Cleveland Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson offered similar high praise earlier this month, calling White a “top-five player” analytically — a statement that underscored his importance beyond traditional box-score numbers.
Celtics Building Momentum as Race Tightens
Boston enters Friday’s game coming off a statement 119-109 victory over Oklahoma City that snapped the Thunder’s 12-game winning streak. Brown led the way with 14 of his 31 points in a pivotal third quarter, while Tatum added 19 points, 12 rebounds, and seven assists as the Celtics pulled away late.
The win improved Boston to 48-24 and recent results elsewhere in the conference have helped their positioning. The Knicks’ loss to Charlotte gave the Celtics a full one-game lead for the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference.
However, that margin remains fragile. A loss to the surging Hawks would cut Boston’s advantage back down to just a half-game, underscoring the importance of Friday’s matchup.
Hawks Riding Hot Streak into TD Garden
Atlanta enters the contest as the No. 5 seed in the East with a 41-32 record, having won 14 of their last 15 games. Their late-season surge has transformed them from a play-in hopeful into a legitimate playoff threat.
With White now cleared, the Celtics will have their full rotation available as they look to maintain momentum and solidify their standing in a tightening Eastern Conference race.
With the postseason approaching and every game carrying added weight, Boston will look to take care of business against a confident Hawks team while continuing to integrate Tatum back into his natural role.
Celtics fans, how important is this game for Boston’s seeding hopes? Do you expect Derrick White to bounce back from his recent shooting slump, or is the focus more on keeping the team healthy and building rhythm with Tatum?
The Celtics are still very much in the title conversation — and nights like Friday will help determine how high they can climb.