New Headline: "James Thrives With Adapted Passing System; Team Sprints to Victory!
White just became the first Celtics player since KG to accomplish this.
Celtics' Derrick White Joins Kevin Garnett With Impressive Defensive Feat originally appeared on NESN . Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here . Derrick White is one of the best defensive guards in the NBA, especially when it comes to shot blocking.
He proved that again during Monday's 120-112 victory for the Boston Celtics , recording a block and a steal against the Phoenix Suns. They were White's 75th steal and 93rd block of the season, making him the first Celtics player since Kevin Garnett in 2007-08 to notch at least 75 in both categories, according to ESPN Insights . Garnett won NBA Defensive Player of the Year that season while leading Boston to a championship.
White doesn't think he'll win the award this season, however, as San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama is heavily favored. He remains criminally underrated and wasn't even an All-Star this season. Derrick White now has 75 steals and 75 blocks this season š„ He is the first Celtics player to do this in a single season since Kevin Garnett in 2007-08.
pic. twitter. com/0UY9qUUOcj ā ESPN Insights (@ESPNInsights) March 17, 2026 Regardless, both figures are already career highs for the 31-year-old, who still has a few more weeks to boost those totals before the regular season ends.