The veteran star paced the Celtics with 16 points (6-10 FG, 4-8 3Pt), six rebounds, four assists, and one steal over 24 minutes.
Boston Celtics face a big blow against the Chicago Bulls on Friday night. Derrick White left the court and rushed to the locker room during the third quarter of the NBA Cup encounter. The veteran guard’s injury has raised concerns for the Celtics. He hasn’t missed a single game this season, but it looks like the Celtics will play without him in the next game.
Derrick White did not return after facing the injury in his right foot. He left the game at the 8:08 mark in the third quarter. Meanwhile, the veteran star paced the Celtics with 16 points (6-10 FG, 4-8 3Pt), six rebounds, four assists, and one steal over 24 minutes.
White was listed as doubtful to make a return for the remainder of the game, and the Celtics opted for the rotation in the remaining time. The Celtics went on to win the NBA Cup tie 138-129 against the Bulls. Jarred Weiss of The Athletic reports that “Joe Mazzulla asked Derrick White about his foot and White told him he’ll be fine. But Mazzulla said he doesn’t know for sure yet.”
It’s confirmed that White will not take part in next game and Celtics won’t risk him. They have to play three games in four days and his recovery is important ahead of the knockout round in NBA Cup.
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Coach Mazzulla has to replan his starting lineup against the Cavaliers on Sunday night. Al Horford, Sam Hauser and Payton Pritchard would be ideal candidates to enter the starting lineup. Mazzulla can also bring Tatum back in earlier than usual. Pritchard finished with a season-high 29 points off the bench and he is ideally making entry into the starting lineup.
Payton Pritchard’s 19 points came in the final frame which is his highest output in a quarter. He also hit seven rebounds, including four that extended possessions. Pritchard speaks after the game, “I really just thought I was taking good shots. I didn’t realize I was on a heater until I hit that deep one when they switched; Vucevic was on me. Zach LaVine dropped back, and I hit it from deep after Sam [Hauser] slipped out on the screen. That’s kind of when I knew I had it going.”
Boston head coach also talked on Payton via Celtics reporter Bobby Krivitsky. “I just think it’s important, returning the exact same team, to find a different weapon and a different identity…He’s a complete player. I know it sounds weird, but he’s one of the best three-level scorers that I’ve seen, especially for his size,” Mazzulla said.
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