He’s done it again! Derrick White is having a season for the books – he’s carving his name into the record books and making sure to take the Boston Celtics to new heights. Every game, he adds another experience to his already impressive resume. However, this time, it’s different. This time, it’s historic.

During their recent win over the Memphis Grizzlies, though the overall play of the team was an overpowering exhibition of Celtics basketball, White went quietly about building himself a game to be remembered for years to come.

Derrick White broke the Boston Celtics’ single-season record for made 3-pointers, surpassing Isaiah Thomas‘ former mark. The feat is especially meaningful, as it’s a chapter in a book of overcoming adversity, driven in part by Draymond Green. In the 2023 NBA Finals, Green and the Warriors essentially did not guard White, which White described as a “low point” and “eye-opening.” This defensive approach by the Warriors exposed a perceived weakness in White’s offensive game, particularly his shooting consistency.

The specifics of White’s transformation went beyond mere shooting style and playmaking. It involved a complete overhaul of his mental approach to the game, a dedication to repetition, and a commitment to consistency. This wasn’t just about making more threes; it was about transforming himself into a player the opposition couldn’t afford to ignore.

Facing the Warriors in the 2023 NBA Finals definitely turned out to be a defining moment for Derrick White’s career. Recognizing that the Finals exposed gaps in his game, he realized he had to overhaul his approach and make a behavior change. “So I had to go in that summer, and me and my trainer, Marcus Mason, just focused on being consistent,” he explained. “And I think from that point on, I just tried to— to get better and better,” he added. After the Olympics, he told Green, “You kind of changed my life.“

The transformation White underwent in the wake of the Warriors’ challenge was not just a personal triumph; it fundamentally altered his impact on the Boston Celtics, turning him into a crucial component of their success.

What impact has Derrick White had on the Celtics’ success?

Ever since the NBA finals game with the Warriors, Derrick White has not only proven himself to be a consistent offensive weapon but a player that teams must make sure they’re guarding hard each and every night. This is clearly evident through his stats. In 2024-25, White hit 3.5 threes on 9.1 attempts, shooting 38.1%—a big leap from 2021-22, where he managed a 30.8% three-point percentage on 3.8 attempts per game, averaging 1.2 makes.

This is definitely the reason why he’s reportedly locked down an “untouchable” position in Boston’s starting lineup, even as the team prepares for likely roster reductions because of a payroll that’s projected to swell to as high as $500 million for the 2025/26 season. Even with the court-sharing presence of offensive powerhouses like Tatum and Brown, White has become an expert at playing off them and has become a very productive facilitator. As head coach Joe Mazzulla put it, he’s “one of the smartest players” he’s ever coached.

There is no question that White’s evolution is the ideal reaction to Draymond Green’s skepticism of the Celtics’ toughness. What started as a tough reality check in the Finals turned into a breakout season. Now, with his name in the Celtics’ record books, he’s no longer just a solid role player—he’s locked in as a core piece of the squad. If this is the version of White that is here to stay, the league needs to take notice.

White didn’t just break a record; he shattered the narrative that once defined him. His meticulous blend of physical and mental adjustments turned a perceived weakness into a formidable strength. He has not only cemented his place as an integral part of the Celtics’ core, but he has also sent a clear message to the league: underestimate him at your own peril.

As the Celtics navigate their championship aspirations and financial challenges, White’s dedication and (now undeniable) impact stands as a form of stability and a reminder that even in the face of doubt, greatness can emerge.