Jayson Tatum called game on Tuesday, leading the Boston Celtics past the Brooklyn Nets in overtime, 125-124, with a cold-blooded walkoff jumper.
With 2.3 seconds left in the see-saw affair, Tatum received the inbound pass from Derrick White. He quickly went to his spot in the free-throw line and pulled up for the game-winner, whipping TD Garden into a frenzy.
Tatum finished with 40 points, five rebounds, and eight assists, while White had 16 points, five rebounds, and seven assists.
During the game, White was showered with MVP chants, leaving him confused. Tatum, however, made it clear that White deserved the love, as reported by NBA.com's Taylor Snow.
“That's what I love about this city and the fans here. They know what winning basketball is, and they know when guys are contributing spectacular things or the little things. They know when you’re competing and making plays,” said Tatum, who shot 10-of-20 from the floor and 18-of-22 from the free-throw line.
“That's their way of putting their energy into the game. I think it’s really cool and much deserved.”
Article Continues BelowJayson Tatum on Derrick White receiving MVP chants:
“That’s what I love about this city and the fans here. They know what winning basketball is and they know when guys are contributing spectacular things or the little things. They know when you’re competing and making plays.…
— Taylor Snow (@taylorcsnow) October 28, 2026
The 32-year-old White is one of the most underappreciated players in the NBA. He does his job quietly and rarely complains. His no-nonsense approach and high basketball IQ have made him well-loved in Boston, a city that can be unforgiving and harsh even toward its own players.
The hard-nosed guard helped Beantown win the title in 2024. He has become a three-time member of the All-Defensive Team with the Celtics.
The Celtics acquired White in a trade with the San Antonio Spurs in 2022 in exchange for Josh Richardson, Romeo Langford, and draft capital.

