During Game 5 of the 2024 NBA Finals at TD Garden, Derrick White suffered a severe dental injury while competing against the Dallas Mavericks, an incident that did not prevent him from contributing significantly to the Boston Celtics’ 106-88 victory. White later detailed the ordeal surrounding his fractured teeth and how despite the injury, he remained determined to help his team secure their 18th championship title.

White’s Account of the Injury and Immediate Aftermath

White described the moment he collided with Dereck Lively while chasing a loose ball, realizing immediately that he had lost a tooth.

“I see the ball. It’s a real loose ball, and I got to get on the floor. It’s the finals … I am diving, and as soon as it happened, I was like, ‘Oh, my tooth is gone.’ Like, my entire tooth was gone. I put my tongue up there, and I couldn’t feel anything,”

White recounted.

Initially, White thought the damage was minor, believing his tooth had simply chipped, having endured similar injuries as a child. Despite some discomfort, he recognized one tooth was broken and another wobbly but chose to stay in the game due to its critical importance.

Moments of Resilience and Team Dynamics

Shortly after the injury, White hit a three-point shot, an act of defiance in the face of pain. Reflecting on that moment, he said,

“One of my favorite moments is hitting that 3 right after that and looking at the bench like, ‘F*** that tooth! We don’t need it. We don’t need it right now.’ It is one of my favorite moments, and there’s a picture of it.”

However, White’s lowest point came when he had to leave the court at halftime to see a dentist. Waiting in the tunnel, he witnessed Payton Pritchard sink a half-court buzzer-beater without realizing how far the shot had been taken.

“Payton [Pritchard] subs in for me, and I just go straight to the locker room because I have to go see the dentist at halftime. So I am in the tunnel when Payton hits the half-court shot. All I hear is just the crowd, and I am like, ‘What happened?’”

White explained.

He added,

“Someone’s like, ‘Payton.’ I am like, ‘Oh, he’s unbelievable!’ Because in my mind at the time … there were 2 or 3 seconds left that he got the ball, and he shot from the three-point line … I didn’t see it till next day that he shot it from half-court.”

Insight Into the Injury’s Severity and White’s Determination

The dentist’s prognosis was grim, which forced White to reconsider his condition, but he rejected the idea of wearing a protective mouthpiece during the game. He returned to the court with just over a minute remaining, surprising his teammates who immediately urged him to show the damage. White recalled Jaylen Brown’s reaction,

“That’s when [Jaylen Brown] was like, ‘Oh, you ugly!’”

White gave a detailed explanation of his injury:

“I fractured this tooth. Actually the one that got chipped was my healthiest tooth. The one next to it, my gum got fractured. I chipped that tooth. That other one was fractured in half … lot of different problems were going on.”

Despite the severity, White insisted his primary focus was continuing on the court.

Performance Highlights and White’s Championship Spirit

Despite the painful injury, Derrick White delivered a strong performance with 14 points, 8 rebounds, 2 steals, and a memorable block on Dereck Lively. His perseverance under such difficult physical circumstances earned admiration from fans and teammates alike.

After the game, during the championship celebration, White boldly declared,

“I would lose all my teeth for a championship!”

showcasing his dedication and the importance he placed on the title.

The Lasting Impact of White’s Injury and What Lies Ahead

Derrick White’s 2024 NBA Finals injury epitomizes the fierce determination athletes exhibit in pursuit of victory, illustrating the physical toll elite competition can take. His ability to perform at a high level despite significant pain highlights his resilience and commitment, qualities that boost his team’s morale and legacy. Moving forward, White’s experience may influence how teams manage player health during critical moments, balancing toughness with long-term well-being.