Jrue Holiday Challenges Derrick White to Season-Long Block Contest

Last season, Derrick White led the Boston Celtics in total blocks and made the NBA's All-Defensive Second Team.

Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

The Boston Celtics were victorious in their home opener against the Miami Heat. Derrick White registered a team-high 28 points and three blocks in Boston’s 119-111 win.

White’s most pivotal block of the night came with 3:52 left in the fourth quarter. The 29-year-old guard sped past all other players on the court to reject a dunking Jimmy Butler.

As captured by NBC Sports Boston, White revealed that teammate Jrue Holiday wants to compete over who will have the most blocks this season.

"During the game he was like ‘we’re gonna see who has more blocks at the end of the year’. I told him that it was crazy that his UCLA man tried to dunk on him."

White is referencing a block that Holiday executed on UCLA alum Jamie Jaquez Jr. The denial occurred with 1:16 left in the third quarter, which stopped the Heat from building on their one-point lead.

N🚫PE pic.twitter.com/7OI22RkQsG

— Boston Celtics (@celtics) October 28, 2023

Via Inside The Celtics, Jayson Tatum discussed how White and Holiday’s determination on defense is inspiration.

“It impacts you and inspires you when guys like D. White and Jrue are getting chase-down blocks. You don’t want to be the weakest link.”

The Celtics’ next game is scheduled for Wednesday, October 30, against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena.

Further Reading

Here's What Stood Out in Celtics' Win vs. Heat: Boston at Its Best When It Matters Most

Joe Mazzulla Praises Derrick White's Performance vs. Miami Heat

Kristaps Porzingis Gives Glimpse of How He'll Boost Celtics Late-Game Offense

Jaylen Brown Teams with Johnny Cupcakes to Give Back to Boston

Rajon Rondo Latest Former Celtic to Spend Time with C's

Celtics Embracing Sacrifice in Championship Pursuit: 'Have to Buy into That'

Under Joe Mazzulla, Celtics Rebuilding Brotherhood Between Past and Present

Candace Parker on Celtics Trading Marcus Smart, Maximizing Tatum-Brown Tandem, Pat Summitt, and the Sports Matter Initiative

Here's What to Know About Celtics' 2023-24 Schedule

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