D-White’s Dental Dilemma
Most Boston Celtics players were looking forward to a well-deserved rest on Friday, preparing for their showdown with the Los Angeles Lakers the following day. However, for guard Derrick White, the day had a different agenda. White found himself at the dentist’s office, addressing a rather bizarre and unexpected incident that occurred during the Celtics’ victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday night. A replay of the game’s first half revealed a startling moment where a tooth—or possibly two—flew out of White’s mouth after he was accidentally elbowed in the face by Kelly Oubre Jr.
The Incident and Immediate Aftermath
The moment of impact was brutal, and White’s reaction was swift. He immediately covered his mouth with his jersey and hurried to the locker room. Yet, in a surprising turn of events, White managed to return to the game in the second half, looking relatively unscathed. The question on everyone’s mind was, how did his teeth fall out so easily, and how was he able to get them back in?
The Artificial Bridge and Missed Appointments
It turns out that the teeth White lost were artificial, part of a bridge he had installed over the summer after chipping his front teeth during Game 5 of the 2024 NBA Finals. “These four (teeth) are connected like a bridge, I guess is what the dentist people call it,” White explained to reporters after the game. He admitted that he had been putting off a recent appointment to replace the temporary bridge with permanent teeth. “I was supposed to go in probably two weeks ago, but I kept pushing it off,” he said. “But I’m gonna go tomorrow.”
The Ad-Hoc Solution
Losing fake teeth, while alarming, is significantly less painful than losing real ones. This fact, combined with the quick thinking of White and the medical staff, allowed for an impromptu solution at halftime. “Luckily they were right there. I picked them up, and we went to the back,” White recounted. “I was trying to debate how I was going to go back, and then got some glue, put the mouthpiece on, and good to go. … It’s not a pretty sight, so thankfully I covered my mouth right away.”
Impact on Performance
Despite the dental drama, White’s ability to return to the game and contribute significantly is a testament to his resilience. While his shooting may have been affected—he made just 1 of 6 attempts in the second half and went 0 for 4 from 3-point range—he found other ways to make an impact. He recorded all six of his assists after halftime, helping the Celtics secure a 123-105 victory.
Team Reaction and Future Plans
If White was hoping for a little sympathy from his teammates, he didn’t get it. Big man Luke Kornet playfully chided him, saying, “Kids, that’s why you’ve got to make sure you make those dentist appointments, because you might get elbowed in the face and lose your teeth.” Head coach Joe Mazzulla was equally unimpressed, deadpanning, “Yeah, it’s his own fault.” White, however, took the ribbing in stride and insisted his teeth would be fixed before the game against the Lakers. When asked if he would start wearing a mouth guard, White jokingly replied, “No,” but added, “I’ll consider it, though. But no, probably not.”
Conclusion
Derrick White’s dental incident is a testament to the unpredictable nature of basketball and the importance of maintaining one’s health, both physical and dental. While the incident was both unusual and uncomfortable, White’s determination to return to the game and help his team to victory is a memorable moment in the 2023-2024 NBA season.
