Celtics

Derrick White’s father, Paul Pierce, and the rest of the sports world reacted to the buzzer-beat that saved the Celtics’ season and forced a Game 7

Jayson Tatum embraced Derrick White after the Celtics guard made the game-winning basket at the buzzer in Game 6. Megan Briggs/Getty Images

By Conor Roche

Derrick White stunned the sports world on Saturday.

Right before the Celtics’ season was about to strike midnight, White made a play that rivals some of the greatest in the history of the franchise. After inbounding the ball to Marcus Smart with three seconds left, White crashed the boards following Smart’s shot. Smart’s shot rimmed out, but White was right there to get his hand on the ball and tip it in at the buzzer to give the Celtics a 104-103 win in Game 6.

White’s shot helped the Celtics even the Eastern Conference finals against the Heat and force a Game 7. It’s the fourth time in NBA history that a team has forced a Game 7 after trailing 3-0 in a series. Boston will look to be the first team to ever win a series after tailing 3-0.

Advertisement:

But in the aftermath of Saturday’s Game 6, many people in the sports world couldn’t believe what they saw. Derrick White’s father, in particular, had the most notable reaction to the buzzer-beating shot.

Conversation

This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com