Derrick White Explodes for 27 Points and 7 Blocks as Celtics Outlast Jazz 129-119

In a dazzling New Year’s Eve performance on December 31, 2025, Derrick White delivered one of the most remarkable two-way displays of his career, pouring in a season-high 27 points while swatting a career-best 7 blocks to propel the Boston Celtics to a hard-fought 129-119 victory over the Utah Jazz at TD Garden. The win capped a strong December for the defending Eastern Conference champions, improving their record to 26-8 and providing momentum heading into a challenging West Coast road trip that begins with a New Year’s Day clash against the Sacramento Kings.

White’s stat line—27 points on 10-of-17 shooting (5-of-9 from three), 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 7 blocks, and just one turnover in 36 minutes—earned him unanimous praise as the catalyst in a game where Boston needed every bit of his defensive dominance to offset Utah’s relentless scoring bursts. The 7 blocks tied for the most by a guard in Celtics history and marked only the third time in franchise history a player recorded 25+ points and 7+ blocks in a single game, joining legends like Kevin Garnett and Robert Parish.

Game Recap: A Tale of Runs and Resilience

The contest unfolded as a high-octane affair befitting two teams known for offensive flair. Utah, led by Lauri Markkanen’s 32 points and Walker Kessler’s interior presence, jumped out early, building a 12-point lead midway through the first quarter behind sharp perimeter shooting and aggressive drives. Boston responded with a 15-4 run sparked by White’s consecutive threes and a thunderous transition block on Jordan Clarkson that ignited the holiday crowd.

The second quarter saw the Jazz reclaim control, pushing the margin back to double digits as rookie Kyle Filipowski continued his impressive stretch with 18 points off the bench. Yet White refused to let Boston falter—his third three-pointer of the half cut the deficit to single digits, and a chasedown block on Keyonte George preserved momentum heading into halftime with Utah leading 68-62.

The third quarter belonged to the Celtics’ stars. Jayson Tatum (28 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists) and Jaylen Brown (25 points) found their rhythm, but it was White’s defensive masterpiece that shifted the tide. He rejected three shots in the period alone—including back-to-back swats on Markkanen and Kessler that led to fast-break threes—and his fifth three-pointer gave Boston its first lead since early in the game. By quarter’s end, the Celtics held an 8-point advantage.

Utah refused to fold, trimming the gap to three points midway through the fourth behind Clarkson’s scoring flurry. But White delivered the dagger sequence: a step-back three, followed by his sixth and seventh blocks on consecutive possessions—both leading to Tatum transition scores—that pushed the lead to 12 with under four minutes remaining. Boston closed strong at the free-throw line, sealing the 10-point victory.

Derrick White’s Historic Night in Context

White’s 7 blocks shattered his previous career high of 4 and represented the most by any NBA guard since Dwyane Wade in 2009. More impressively, he became just the fifth player in the last 30 years to record 25+ points, 5+ assists, and 7+ blocks in a game, joining elite company like Anthony Davis, Victor Wembanyama, and Garnett. Analysts noted his uncanny timing and length (6’4″ with a 6’7″ wingspan) allowed him to protect the rim without abandoning perimeter assignments—a rare skill that has made him Boston’s defensive anchor.

Coach Joe Mazzulla praised White postgame: “Derrick’s impact goes beyond the stat sheet. Those blocks weren’t just erasers—they were momentum changers. He’s playing at an All-NBA level on both ends.” Tatum added, “We’ve been saying it all year: D-White is our X-factor. Tonight he was the whole equation.”

Supporting Cast Shines Bright

While White stole headlines, Boston’s balanced attack overwhelmed Utah’s defense. Tatum flirted with a triple-double, Brown attacked relentlessly, and Payton Pritchard provided 15 points off the bench—including three timely threes. Kristaps Porzingis contributed 12 points and 8 rebounds in limited minutes as he continues ramping up post-injury.

For the Jazz, Markkanen’s scoring prowess kept them competitive, while Filipowski’s emergence as a versatile rookie (18 points, 7 rebounds) offered hope for Utah’s rebuild. Kessler battled valiantly inside but struggled containing Boston’s pick-and-roll attack.

Statistical Breakdown and Milestones

• Boston shot 52% from the field and 42% from three (18-of-43), dominating points in the paint (56-44) and fast-break points (22-12).
• The Celtics forced 15 turnovers while committing only 9, converting Utah mistakes into 24 points.
• White’s +18 plus-minus led all players.
• The victory marked Boston’s 10th straight home win and improved their record against Western Conference opponents to 12-3.

Broader Implications for Both Teams

For Boston, the win reinforced their status as the East’s team to beat. With White ascending to near-All-Star production alongside Tatum and Brown, the Celtics boast arguably the league’s most complete starting five. The upcoming road trip—featuring Sacramento, Portland, and Denver—will test their mettle away from TD Garden.

Utah, meanwhile, showed flashes of potential despite falling to 12-22. Markkanen remains a cornerstone, Filipowski’s development accelerates, and Will Hardy’s system continues producing competitive efforts against elite competition. The loss highlighted ongoing defensive struggles, particularly rim protection when Kessler rests.

Postgame Reactions and Social Media Buzz

White’s performance instantly trended nationwide, with clips of his chase-down blocks and step-back threes going viral. Former players like Kevin Garnett tweeted: “Derrick White out here playing like a 7-footer with guard skills. Unreal.” NBA analysts debated his Defensive Player of the Year candidacy—he now ranks among league leaders in blocks for guards while anchoring Boston’s top-5 defense.

Jazz players acknowledged White’s dominance graciously. Markkanen quipped postgame: “I thought I had him a couple times… turns out he had me.” Clarkson added respect for Boston’s championship pedigree.

Looking Ahead

Boston now travels west for a challenging stretch, beginning with the Kings on January 1. White’s emergence as a two-way force suggests the Celtics are hitting their stride at the perfect time. For Utah, the focus shifts to developing young pieces while competing nightly in a stacked Western Conference.

Derrick White’s New Year’s Eve masterpiece served as a reminder: when he’s impacting both ends at this level, the Celtics become nearly unstoppable. As 2026 dawns, Boston fans have every reason to believe this team is built not just for regular-season success, but another deep playoff run.