BOSTON — Derrick White wasn’t exactly surprised when he got hit in the face while defending Kelly Oubre Jr. on Thursday at TD Garden. There was the initial pain then he realized that some of his teeth fell out of his mouth.
White knew part of the reason why: he had been pushing off going to the dentist’s office. After the Celtics blew out the 76ers, the starting guard explained what exactly went down that necessitated him leaving the game briefly.
“I got hit in the face,” White said. “But they were temporary, and I was supposed to go in probably two weeks ago. But I kept pushing it off to get my permanent ones. But I’m gonna go tomorrow. … It’s not a pretty sight, so thankfully I covered my mouth right away.”
White explained afterwards that his teeth are in a bridge, so that’s what popped out. After getting hit, video replays show White picking up his teeth off the court.
Celtics fans will remember it’s not the first time White has had a dental-related issue on the court. During Game 5 of the NBA Finals against the Mavericks, White chipped his tooth that led to some amusing photos of him smiling. Fortunately, he was able to get his teeth fixed ahead of the C’s parade a few days later.
White joked that he’ll consider wearing a mouthpiece going forward, though those can be uncomfortable. Fortunately, Thursday’s incident wasn’t an emergency. White retreated to the locker room quickly, but he was back on the court to finish out the win. White finished with 12 points and six assists in 24 minutes, so it all worked out.
“Luckily they were right there and I picked them up,” White said. “And then we went to the back and I was trying to debate how I was gonna go back. Then I got some glue, put the mouthpiece on, and I was good to go.”
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