Derrick White Explains Celtics' Recent Defensive Dominance

Derrick White Explains Celtics' Recent Defensive Dominance originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Boston Celtics have been one of the best defensive teams in basketball this season, especially lately. 

The Celtics have allowed fewer than 100 points in seven of their last 12 games. Over their last 10 games, they have the best defensive rating in the NBA, going 9-1 during that span.

Boston has allowed the fewest points per game in the league this season at 107.6. The team also ranks seventh in defensive rating and third in field-goal percentage. 

The Celtics are coming off two of their best defensive efforts of the season after allowing just 89 points to the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday and 81 points to the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday. They also started February by yielding only 79 points to the Milwaukee Bucks, so all three of their lowest opponent point totals have come this month.

After Tuesday's 97-81 rout of the Suns, Derrick White explained why Boston's been so dominant on defense lately.

Derrick White when asked about the Celtics having the top-ranked defense in the NBA in their last 10 games:

“We just have a standard. A lot of guys that can guard a lot of positions and do a really good job of just following the game plan and committing to that.” pic.twitter.com/I7C9jpKNDG

— Bobby Krivitsky (@BobbyKrivitsky) February 25, 2026

"We just have a standard. A lot of guys that can guard a lot of positions and do a really good job of just following the game plan and committing to that," White said.

That includes White, who's one of the league's best defenders. He's averaging 1.5 blocks and 1.2 steals per game this season, both career bests.

With White, Jaylen Brown, Neemias Queta and others anchoring the defense, the Celtics remain one of the toughest teams in the league to score on. 

They'll try to ride their stifling defense to another road win tonight against the Denver Nuggets.

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