BLOODY BLOW
‘What an effort,’ fan cries as Celtics’ Derrick White brutally faceplants during collision with Mavs’ Dereck Lively II
White was doing his part as the Celtics went on a late scoring run
BOSTON Celtics guard Derrick White has been left bloodied and bruised after a brutal play during the NBA Finals.
Looking to defend the Celtics' 52-39 lead with two and a half minutes to go until the half, the NBA All-Defensive Second Teamer, 29, made a dive for a loose ball.
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As White dove, Dallas Mavericks center Dereck Lively II also leaped forward in an attempt to win the ball, landing directly on top of White.
Lively's left elbow crushed White's head as his face was pressed hard into the court.
After Lively fell off of White, the Celtics star appeared to immediately check that his teeth were okay before getting back to his feet.
Shortly after, White had to make his way to the sideline in an attempt to stem the bleeding from his face.
This wasn't going to stop him from playing though as he quickly returned to the court.
"What an effort," one fan said of the play on X, formerly known as Twitter.
"That man trying to win a ring," commented a second.
"Stayed in the game. [White] is as tough as they come in the NBA. Bleeding out of his face," noted another.
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While a fourth added, "My nose hurt just watching it."
The half ended in dramatic fashion, first with Mavericks star Kyrie Irving diving into the stand as he attempted, and succeeded, to keep the ball in play.
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His leap landed him on top of an ESPN statistician sitting beside announcers Mike Breen, Doris Burke, and JJ Redick.
The two made sure to check one another was okay before he eventually made his way back onto the court.
Then came a stunning buzzer-beating three-pointer from Celtics guard Payton Pritchard.
The crowd and his teammates went wild celebrating as Pritchard's shot, launched from his own half, went in.
NBA Finals schedule
Thur 6 June - Game 1 - Dallas Mavericks 89-107 Boston Celtics
Sun 9 June - Game 2 - Dallas Mavericks 98-105 Boston Celtics
Wed 12 June - Game 3 - Boston Celtics 106-99 Dallas Mavericks
Fri 14 June - Game 4, 8.30pm ET - Boston Celtics 84-122 Dallas Mavericks
Mon 17 June - Game 5, 8.30pm ET - Dallas Mavericks at Boston Celtics
Thur 20 June - Game 6, 8.30pm ET - Boston Celtics at Dallas Mavericks
Sun 23 June - Game 7, 8pm ET - Dallas Mavericks at Boston Celtics
(Boston leads Dallas 3-1)
The spectacular bucket extended Boston's lead to 67-46.
Up 21 at the break, C's fans chanted triumphantly as they flooded the TD Garden hallways to restock on food and beverages.
The Celtics eventually took a 106-88 win to close out the series.
White ended up with 14 points, eight rebounds, one assist and a steal.
The guard proudly showed off his chipped tooth while embracing the Larry O'Brien trophy as champagne bottles kept popping in the locker room.
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The Celtics have claimed their 18th championship, the most among all NBA teams.
They have been waiting for another title since 2008.