The Boston Celtics have had 40 Hall of Famers and 62 All-Stars. None of them have been able to accomplish what Derrick White just did. Facing off against the now Tuomas Iisalo-led Memphis Grizzlies, White knocked down three 3-point attempts to finish the game with a near triple-double.
In 35 minutes, he recorded 14 points, 10 assists, eight rebounds, and two blocks as the Celtics won by 14. In the final quarter, he went 2-3 from 3, as Boston outscored Memphis by seven points. By the end, he managed to become the team’s single-season record-holder for most made 3s (247).
Just think — the Celtics still have seven games remaining this season.
Derrick White Breaks Celtics’ 3P Record
In 2016-17, Isaiah Thomas knocked down 245 3-pointers, the previous record. It was arguably the best season of his career, as he earned not only his second straight All-Star selection, but All-NBA honors as well. He even came fifth in MVP voting after recording team-highs of 28.9 points and 5.9 assists per game while the Celtics went 53-29. So, while White may have broken his record, Thomas’s tenure with the team will never be forgotten.
With that being said, White isn’t quite as beloved as Thomas, whose passion and clutch play at 5-foot-9 were particularly endearing. Yet, he’s become a fan favorite as well, his performances garnering All-Star hype. His recent play even helped him get invited to the Paris Olympics.
246 3-POINTERS 🔥
Derrick White now holds the @celtics record for 3PM in a season! 👏👏 pic.twitter.com/AEA55RDPym
— NBA (@NBA) April 1, 2025
The journey that he had to take to get to this point likely makes it even more awarding.
Draymond Green’s Influence
Following the Celtics victory against the Grizzlies, White spoke to reporters about his record-breaking night.
Derrick White told Draymond Green he changed his life after how he guarded him in NBA Finals:
“How I was being guarded on that stage. I mean it was like one of the lowest points. I told Draymond after the Olympics that he kind of changed my life because they weren’t guarding… pic.twitter.com/ifRJU1Q13q
— Celtics on CLNS (@CelticsCLNS) April 1, 2025
“After the (2023 NBA) Finals, I feel like that’s the biggest summer of my life,” he tells reporters (h/t Celtics on CLNS reporter Bobby Manning). “How I was being guarded on that stage. I mean it was like one of the lowest points. I told Draymond (Green) after the (Paris) Olympics that he kind of changed my life because they weren’t guarding me…”
“Looking back on my career, I never thought I’d be in this position.”
White broke the #celtics single season 3PT record tonight: “Looking back on my career, I never thought I’d be in this position. So I’m just thankful … I’ll hold it for now until (one of my teammates) breaks my record. So that’s cool.”
— Bobby Manning (@RealBobManning) April 1, 2025
“So I’m just thankful.”
White then quipped, “I’ll hold it for now (until one of my teammates) breaks my record.”
With that in mind, Celtics franchise cornerstone Jayson Tatum occupies four of the team’s top-10 slots in single-season 3s. This season, he’s made just seven fewer 3-pointers than White.
© Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
