Derrick White, Boston Celtics
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Derrick White, Boston Celtics
Derrick White has been ruled out of the Boston Celtics game against the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday, March 29.
The do-it-all guard is suffering from a right knee contusion.
This will be the fourth game White has missed all season. He’s suited up for 70 contests throughout the 2025-26 campaign, averaging 17.1 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 5.5 assists on 39.2% shooting from the field and 32.3% from deep.
White assumed a larger role in Boston’s offense this year, primarily due to Jayson Tatum’s absence with an Achilles injury. With Tatum now back in the rotation, it wouldn’t be surprising if White’s shooting efficiency started to trend upward over the final 9 games of the season.
Sunday will be the second time Boston has faced the Hornets this season. White was one of the best players on the floor when the two teams met on March 4. He ended the night with 29 points, 3 assists, 2 rebounds and a steal. During the game, White shot 75% from 2-point range and 33.3% from deep.
Boston will miss his scoring, playmaking and on-ball defense, especially as the Hornets have been on a strong run of games in recent weeks.
Jaylen Brown Is Also Missing For The Boston Celtics
White isn’t the only Celtics player to be ruled out of Sunday’s game. Jaylen Brown will miss his second-straight contest, having sat out Friday’s 109-102 win over the Atlanta Hawks. The MVP candidate is currently dealing with Achilles tendonitis in his left leg.
Brown has been the team’s best player, piecing together a career year. In 65 games, Brown is averaging 28.6 points, 7 rebounds and 5.2 assists, shooting 47.7% from the field and 34.2% from deep.
It’s worth noting that Brown has already hit the 65-game mark. As such, he’s eligible to make an All-NBA team and be in the running for the league MVP award. Therefore, the Celtics can feel comfortable resting him for as long as they need.
Boston’s game against Charlotte is the first night of a back-to-back. Joe Mazzulla could be resting Brown ahead of facing the Hawks on Monday, March 30, especially if the team plans to sit Tatum for that contest.
Boston Celtics Will Have Neemias Queta Available
Losing both Brown and White for Sunday’s game is a tough blow for Boston. However, Celtics fans can at least take some solace that Neemias Queta has been cleared to play. He was previously listed as “probable” heading into Sunday, meaning there was a chance he’d been unavailable.
Queta has proven himself to be a starting-level big man in the NBA this season. After spending the 2024-25 campaign as Boston’s fourth-string big man, he was thrust into a starting role following the departures of Kristaps Porzingis, Luke Kornet and Al Horford over the summer.
In 69 regular-season games, Queta is averaging 9.8 points and 8.3 rebounds, shooting 64% from the field. He’s also grown as a defender and rim deterrent. However, the jury is still out on whether he’s capable of being the starting big man on a championship-winning team.
Still, Queta has responded to every challenge thrown his way this season. If the Celtics continue to produce at their current level, Queta could potentially find himself starting the NBA Finals.
Then we will see whether he can be a long-term anchor for Boston, or if Brad Stevens needs to go shopping in the trade market.