Celtics' Derrick White leaves in 1st half vs. 76ers with tooth injury, returns for 2nd half

BOSTON (AP) — Derrick White infamously gave up one of his teeth in the pursuit of the Celtics' NBA championship last season.

He was reminded of that sacrifice again during Thursday's win over the Philadelphia 76ers.

White left at the 7:13 mark of the second quarter after taking an inadvertent elbow to the face while challenging Kelly Oubre Jr.’s layup. Replays showed White getting hit, grasping immediately for his mouth and then picking up a small white object off the ground.

The object, he said after the game, was a temporary four-tooth bridge he has been wearing with the plan to replace them.

“I was supposed to go in like two weeks ago. I kept pushing it off to get my permanent ones,” White said.

He paid the price for his scheduling delay.

“It’s not a pretty sight," White said. "So, thankfully I covered it right away.”

He was escorted to the locker room with a towel over his face. The team announced just before halftime that he was probable to return in the second half, and he started the third quarter. He finished with 12 points and six assists.

He said he knew immediately what had happened on the play. And because of that he had little hesitancy in returning to the game.

“Luckily they were right there. I picked them up," he said. "Then we went to the back and I was trying to debate how I was going to go back. Then we got some glue, I put the mouthpiece on and we were good to go.”

During the Celtics’ NBA Finals-ending Game 5 victory over Dallas White chipped one of his front teeth after getting landed on.

This latest injury came the night after White notched career highs with 41 points and nine 3-pointers in Boston’s victory over Portland.

Teammate Jayson Tatum said watching the play reinforced White's toughness.

“Tough. Just to have to see somebody deal with the same thing over and over again,” Tatum said. “I was surprised to see him come back. But he’s a competitor, always wants to play.”

Despite his bad luck on Thursday, White said it hasn't convinced to him wear a mouthguard going forward.

“It was kind of a weird play," he said. "Honestly, the first one was pretty crazy. But this one wasn’t as crazy. I’ve been putting off the dentist and that’s what it was.”

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Boston Celtics guard Derrick White, right, drives to the basket past Philadelphia 76ers center Andre Drummond (1) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, March 6, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Boston Celtics guard Derrick White, right, is pressured by Philadelphia 76ers guard Kelly Oubre Jr. on a shot during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, March 6, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Police in Rhode Island say they have a person of interest in custody after a shooting at Brown University killed two students and wounded nine others.

The incident happened Saturday afternoon in a classroom during final exams.

The shooting paralyzed the campus, with students sheltering in place for hours. Nine students with gunshot wounds were taken to the hospital, with one in critical condition. An FBI agent says the arrest took place at a hotel in Coventry, about 20 miles (32 kilometers) from Providence.

The latest:

Armed with a handgun, the shooter fired more than 40 9 mm rounds, according to a law enforcement official.

Authorities as of Sunday morning hadn’t recovered a gun but did recover two loaded 30-round magazines, said the official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly discuss the investigation.

— by Alanna Durkin Richer

Classes and exams have been canceled. University officials also said students are free to leave.

Those who remain on campus will have access to services and support, Provost Francis Doyle said in a statement.

“At this time, it is essential that we focus our efforts on providing care and support to the members of our community as we grapple with the sorrow, fear and anxiety that is impacting all of us right now,” Doyle wrote.

Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy, one of the leading Democratic voices on gun policy, said Sunday that the prospects of new restrictions on firearms were “slim.”

“As we know right now, unfortunately, the Republicans in Congress don’t ever meaningfully break from this president,” Murphy said on CNN’s “State of the Union,” arguing that Trump and the GOP were too aligned with the gun lobby.

Murphy added: “That doesn’t mean I won’t try.”

A police officer hangs yellow crime tape at Brown University in Providence, R.I., on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, during the investigation of a shooting. (AP Photo/Mark Stockwell)

A police vehicle rests at an intersection near crime scene tape at Brown University, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Providence, R.I., following a Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025 shooting at the university. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

A law enforcement official directs traffic in a neighborhood near Brown University, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Providence, R.I., following a Saturday, Dec. 13 shooting at the university. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)