In a pivotal moment with the clock ticking down and the game knotted, Derrick White stepped up. Despite struggling from beyond the arc earlier in the game, White seized the opportunity in the final minute of a tie game to drain a critical 3-pointer, propelling the Boston Celtics to a 105-102 victory over the Indiana Pacers and clinching their spot in the NBA Finals.
With just 45 seconds remaining, White found himself open in the right corner, patiently awaiting a pass from his teammate Jaylen Brown. When Brown delivered, White didn’t hesitate, sinking the shot that ultimately sealed the Celtics’ four-game sweep of the Pacers in the Eastern Conference finals.
Reflecting on his game-changing moment, White attributed his success to trust in his teammate and a determination to stay focused on the shot at hand. “Just was trusting that JB is going to make the right play like he has this entire year,” White remarked. “I got a good look and wanted to stay in the shot and knock it down.”
White’s clutch performance earned praise from Boston coach Joe Mazzulla, who commended his ability to maintain a short-term memory and play with a sense of presence on the court.
Contributions from Brown and Jayson Tatum were also instrumental in the Celtics’ victory, with Brown tallying 29 points and Tatum notching 26 points, 13 rebounds, and eight assists. Their combined efforts propelled the top-seeded Celtics to their second NBA Finals appearance in the past three seasons.
For the Pacers, Andrew Nembhard led the charge with 24 points and a playoff career-high 10 assists, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the relentless Celtics.
The game was marked by a series of lead changes and momentum swings, with Boston mounting a comeback in the fourth quarter to erase a nine-point deficit. A defensive breakdown by the Pacers left White open for the decisive shot, which he capitalized on with precision.
Despite their valiant efforts, the Pacers fell short once again in the Eastern Conference finals, extending their streak of losses in this stage of the playoffs.
Looking ahead, the Celtics are set to face either the Dallas Mavericks or the Minnesota Timberwolves in the NBA Finals, fueled by their unwavering determination and collective sacrifice to reach their ultimate goal.
As the Celtics celebrate their hard-fought victory, the Pacers are left to grapple with the disappointment of another postseason exit. Yet, amidst the heartbreak, there’s a sense of pride in their resilience and unwavering commitment to compete at the highest level.
In the end, it was a testament to the Celtics’ grit and resilience that carried them to victory, while the Pacers must regroup and reflect on what could have been in another hard-fought playoff series.
