The Boston Celtics are back at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas tonight, looking to tie up their third Summer League win when they face Sacramento. But what if their actual secret weapon isn't on the court, but on the sidelines? Because the numbers are getting hard to ignore.
Amile Jefferson's Hot Seat? Or White's Hot Hand?
Amile Jefferson has been coaching Boston through a "positive spell" this summer, but there's a wild card that showed up on the bench: veteran guard Derrick White. White tried his hand at coaching during Summer League and guess what? He oversaw Boston’s comfortable win against Charlotte on Sunday. Then, Jefferson was back in his "rightful seat" for Monday’s 102-90 defeat to Atlanta. Call it coincidence, but it definitely signals White might just be something of a good luck charm for this squad.
Rookie forward Dillon Mitchell, the second-round Draft pick, definitely seemed to benefit from White's presence. He went off against the Hornets, topping the team with 24 points and eight rebounds. But then, Monday's loss to the Hawks? Mitchell couldn't replicate that same output. He's absolutely one to watch tonight, looking to reclaim that perch he found under White's guidance. The team hopes to unseat the Kings from their throne in Nevada, and you gotta wonder if White's sideline energy will be missed.
Kings Are Not Rolling Over, Though
Don't sleep on Sacramento, though. They've got their own talent looking to make noise. Second-year guy Maxime Raynaud has totally caught the eye in Summer League, looking a cut above even in a "wide defeat" to Washington over the weekend. And point guard prospect Darius Acuff Jr, who finished as the top scorer in the California Classic league earlier in the off-season, is ready to make another positive impression for Summer League coach Chris Darnell tonight. This isn't just about Boston, it's about these young guys battling for their spots.
The Celtics and Kings clash at 7:30 PM EDT on ESPN2. If you can't be glued to your TV, you can stream it live with Fubo, which carries all the big sports channels. You won't want to miss if Boston can grab that third win, and more importantly, if Mitchell can reclaim his form and what role, if any, Derrick White's "good luck" might still play.
This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.