3 Boston Celtics players that must step up after recent string of injuries

Boston Celtics player No. 3) Derrick White

The Boston Celtics traded for Derrick White at this year’s deadline for a reason.

His tremendous two-way upside coupled with his playmaking abilities were viewed as being both a potentially huge boost for their secondary unit as well as a quality insurance policy should one of their core players, especially of those found within the backcourt, be found on the sidelines.

Already, he has proven this first part to be true, as the veteran guard has been a quality spark-plug sixth man for the C’s since his arrival.

Now, with the possibility of Jaylen Brown being out, or, when he does come back, playing a bit hobbled, White is likely going to have to take on a bigger role within the team’s scheme to try and help make up for the absence of their centerpiece.

Thus far, it appears as though the C’s newcomer has managed to relish in this more vital role.

While it may be a small sample size, spanning just two games now, since we saw Brown go down with his ankle injury, the combo guard has been playing a truly impactful brand of basketball.

Over this stretch, Derrick White is putting up 15 points, 3.5 assists, and three boards on nearly 50 percent shooting from the field all while playing stellar defense along the way–remember when he took over for Brown on this side of the ball against Atlanta and, in turn, played a huge part in holding star, Trae Young, to just nine points on a putrid 30 percent shooting for the entirety of the second half?

We do!

As a result of his effective production during this time span, the 27-year-old has received ample praise from his cohorts and higher-ups, including coach, Ime Udoka, who has claimed that the guard’s play has been huge in regard to “handling, scoring, distributing, defensively, all the way around.”

Should Brown miss extended time with his sprained ankle, the Boston Celtics are going to need Derrick White to continue playing at this type of level in order to continue on with their hot streak.