For a moment, it looked like the Celtics would have to close their NBA Finals series against the Mavericks without Derrick White.
In the second quarter of Game 5, White went to make a hustle play and dove on the ground for a loose ball. Mavericks center Dereck Lively II fell on top of him, making it look more like a scrum for a loose football.
White came up with blood all over his mouth and play stopped to get Boston guard cleaned up. Here's how the situation played out.
MORE: Celtics handle Mavericks in Game 5 to win 2024 NBA championship
What happened to Derrick White's tooth?
White and Lively both dove for a loose ball when Lively fell on top of White's head. White's face smacked against the ground and he came up bleeding from his mouth.
— Gonzalo Vázquez (@GVazquezNY) June 18, 2024
Sam Hauser went to the scorer's table assuming White would need a sub but the guard decided to tough it out.
After halftime, the camera revealed White had a chipped tooth.
Derrick White's tooth 🦷 pic.twitter.com/stsiLpOeVF
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) June 18, 2024
Jaylen Brown had jokes for his teammate that were caught on the broadcast because he was mic'd up for Game 5.
Jaylen Brown to Derrick White:
— NBA TV (@NBATV) June 18, 2024
“Ooooh, you sure is ugly” 😭 pic.twitter.com/SIv0VnvvHF
White continued to make an impact on both ends of the floor. He finished with 14 points, eight rebounds and four 3-pointers while bringing his typical defensive intensity, adding two steals and one block.
On the podium after the win, White joked about his new smile that led to an NBA championship.
"I'd lose all my teeth for a championship. I'll get it fixed and I'm gonna enjoy this one."
"I'd lose all my teeth for a championship."
— NBA (@NBA) June 18, 2024
Whatever it takes for Derrick White 🏆 pic.twitter.com/cbtdpRVOCM
