Derrick White luckily avoids SICKENING injury in NBA Finals

Celtics guard Derrick White chipped a tooth after a brutal collision with Dallas’ Dereck Lively II in Game 5 of the NBA Finals. 

In the second quarter of Monday night’s closeout game in Boston, White dove for a loose ball and nearly suffered a gruesome injury. As White went head-first to retrieve the rock, Lively planted his weight onto him after losing the race to the ball.

Lively’s forearm ended up on the back of White’s head, slamming his face onto the hardwood.

Shaken up, White walked back to the bench with blood on his hand and mouth. However, the scramble did not keep him from staying in the game.

After the scare, White shook off the impact and made a three-pointer to help the Celtics secure a 67-46 at halftime. It was later revealed that he chipped his front tooth while avoiding further facial injuries. 

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With a 3-1 lead, the Celtics have the opportunity to secure their 18th banner and first title since 2008 in front of their home fans at TD Garden.

The Eastern Conference Champions routed the Miami Heat in five games and the Cleveland Cavaliers in the same number before sweeping the Indiana Pacers to secure another title opportunity.

On the other hand, the Mavericks bested the LA Clippers and Oklahoma City Thunder in six before spoiling the Minnesota Timberwolves’ fairytale run in five games in the conference finals.

The Celtics took a commanding 3-0 after winning the first three games, 107-89, 105-98, and 106-99.

With the sweep on a silver platter, the Mavericks came back roaring and dominated Boston 122-84 in Game 4. 

With a deflating 92-60 lead at the end of the third, both teams rested their starters early as Boston conceded in one of the most one-sided beatings in the NBA Finals.

White has been vital to the Celtics’ success and is enjoying his most successful postseason run. So far in these playoffs, White is averaging a career-high 16.0 points, 4.2 assists, and 4.1 rebounds as his team closes in on the title.