Celtics Beat – Episode 652: White Resurgence Fuels Celtics’ Best Win of '25/'26

Date: November 29, 2025
Host: Adam Kaufman
Co-host: Evan Valenti

Overview

This week’s episode of Celtics Beat dives into the Boston Celtics’ impressive triumph over the Detroit Pistons, which snapped Detroit’s 13-game winning streak. Adam Kaufman and Evan Valenti break down Derrick White’s second-half explosion and what it means for a Celtics team playing without Jason Tatum and key big men. The episode offers a reflective look at the team's resilience, emerging depth, evolving identity, and the challenging stretch ahead as winter truly sets in on the 2025-26 NBA season.

Celtics’ Win Over the Pistons: Statement Victory

• Adam and Evan open by calling the 13-game streak-busting win over Detroit "the Celtics’ best win" of the season by far, even with personnel challenges.
• The Celtics have now won five of their last six games—a stretch including victories over Memphis, L.A., Brooklyn, and Orlando, but with a frustrating home loss to the Nets.
• This Pistons win is especially notable for coming without Jason Tatum and rim protector Nimi Keta.

Key Quote:

“In some ways a perfect example these last few games of what this Celtics team is—at least without Jason Tatum. You’re gonna win some games you probably shouldn’t, you’re gonna lose some you definitely shouldn’t, and ultimately hover around .500 with this group. If Tatum comes back, the whole complexion changes.”
—Adam Kaufman [09:43]

Derrick White’s Breakout & Its Impact

• White’s Slump-Busting Performance: Derrick White’s red-hot second half and deep threes kept Boston alive as Cade Cunningham torched the Celtics on the other end.
• Importance of White's Consistency: When White plays well, Boston is much more competitive—his shooting can be the difference between victory and being “blown out by 15.”
• Supporting Cast: Pritchard has been most consistent behind Brown; Hauser continues his sharpshooting; Simons and others less so.

Key Quote:

“Some of the stuff [White] was doing…pulling up with guys in his face from 28 feet…that’s pretty high-level stuff. If he's not hitting shots, they probably get blown out by 15 points.”
—Evan Valenti [10:45]

Celtics’ Rotation, Depth, and Roster Identity

- Small-ball Out of Necessity:

With Nimi Keta out, Boston turned to emergency call-ups (e.g., Amari Williams) and played long stretches with no true big on the floor (closing the Detroit game with Pritchard, White, Brown, Walsh, Shireman).

- Young Players Stepping Up:

Jordan Walsh and Josh Minott have impressed in expanded roles. Williams showed flashes in limited minutes.

- Building for the Future:

This season offers a look at bench contributors who might become long-term pieces. Adam notes, “The impetus is learning about your depth…and we’re finding out there’s at least some guys here that can play.”

Key Quote:

“Regardless of what happens this season, you need to figure out if you have guys or if you don’t. And we’re finding out out of the Shiremans, the Walshes, the Ugos, the Mike…at least some guys here can play, really contribute.”
—Evan Valenti [17:11]

Evaluating Walsh and Missoula’s Adaptability

Walsh’s performance prompts discussion about how many other NBA teams he could start for—“maybe five to seven,” Adam speculates. It's seen as both a statement of Walsh’s value and reflection of Boston’s roster limitations.

Evan commends Missoula’s willingness to adapt lineups and strategies, rapidly pulling or inserting players based on game flow rather than preset rotations.

Quote:

“He’s like troubleshooting so much on the fly—every night you have no idea what to expect…more chaos might be part of the Celtics’ mantra at this point.”
—Evan Valenti [39:36]

Eastern Conference Power Rankings and Playoff Outlook

Timestamps: 13:39–17:02

• The hosts review a scrambled Eastern Conference field: Detroit (unexpectedly atop at 15–3), Toronto and Miami overperforming, Milwaukee and Philadelphia up-and-down, and New York/Cleveland stabilizing.
• Both agree that with Tatum’s eventual return, Boston could move back into the upper tier.
• Adam: “Sure, Celtics are at that point right there in the mix in the east to win that conference…I’m not talking about a title but if you get to the Finals, you’re automatically in the conversation.”

Upcoming Celtics Schedule: Bracing for a Gauntlet

Timestamps: 32:55–37:38

The next 8–10 games represent a brutal stretch:

• At Minnesota (Sat.), at Cleveland (Sun.), Knicks (Tues.), at Washington, Lakers (Fri.), then Toronto/Miami/Raptors series.
• Only the Wizards game is a "should win" on paper; the other matchups are against tough, physical teams or rivalry games.

Quotes:

“This next five game stretch, there’s only one game in that mix that should be a clear, no doubt win…these other four, sweatier than we’d like it to be.”
—Adam Kaufman [33:15]

“You have to hit a lot of shots…if Boston doesn’t shoot well, they have to do so many other things at an extraordinary level to beat some of these top teams.”
—Evan Valenti [37:38]

Both expect the Celtics’ record could slip below .500 during this gauntlet, but hope remains for the eventual long-term upside.

Derrick White’s Recalibrated Role and Efficiency

Timestamps: 43:34–47:01

• Early-season: White was shooting 18 FGA/10.5 3PA per game in October; now down to 13.5 FGA/7.5 3PA with similar point output but much better efficiency.
• Consistency and comfort level discussed—perhaps White “doesn’t want to be the guy jacking 20 shots a game,” but thrives with slightly less volume and more efficient touches.

Quotes:

“He was an overqualified, what, fourth banana…that’s what made Derrick White awesome in the first place.”
—Evan Valenti [47:36]

Jaylen Brown as a True #1: Ringer Top 100 Discussion

Timestamps: 49:18–54:02

• The hosts discuss The Ringer’s latest top 100, with Brown ranked 13th—“All NBA territory.”
• Brown’s production: Over 28 PPG, efficient shooting, consistent effort—all while shouldering lead role duties.
• They revisit past skepticism about Brown’s lead-dog capabilities, concluding he’s “flirting with an All-NBA spot” and silencing many critics.

Quotes:

“All the people who wanted to know whether [Brown] could be a leading man or not, that’s being answered right now…He’s showing he’s capable.”
—Evan Valenti [50:55]

Light-Hearted Close: NBA Nickname Tangent

Timestamps: 54:02–57:09

• The hosts riff on the sometimes-absurd NBA nicknames listed at Basketball Reference (“Big Smokey” for Klay Thompson; “Gravedigger” for Jaylen Brown), sharing a few laughs.
• Shaquille O’Neal’s legendary self-appointed nicknames list gets special mention.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “If Boston can find a way to hang around and not get decimated by injuries when Tatum comes back…maybe there’s a roadmap here.”
  —Evan Valenti [12:17]

• “They closed the game with Pritchard, White, Brown, Walsh, and Shireman. I didn’t have that in my bingo card!”
  —Evan Valenti [17:15]

• “Jordan Walsh—high energy, tenacious, aggressive…How many NBA teams do you think he starts for?”
  —Adam Kaufman [23:11]

• “Joe Missoula troubleshooting on the fly…every night you have no idea what to expect.”
  —Evan Valenti [39:36]

Episode Structure / Key Timestamps

• [01:12] – Show Open & Thanksgiving Banter
• [06:49] – Reviewing Celtics Recent Games
• [09:43] – Detroit Win: A Turning Point?
• [10:44] – Derrick White’s Second Half Heroics
• [13:39] – East Conference Picture & Celtics’ Place
• [17:11] – Celtics’ Depth, Identity, and Rotation
• [23:11] – The Jordan Walsh Conversation
• [32:55] – Upcoming Schedule: The Gauntlet
• [43:34] – White’s Adjusted Role & Efficiency
• [49:18] – Ringer Top 100 & Jaylen Brown’s Lead Status
• [54:02] – Nickname Tangent & Fun Close

Final Thoughts:
This episode highlights the grit, adaptability, and budding identity of a Celtics team navigating injuries, youth, and adversity, with cautious optimism for a more competitive second half if health returns. Adam and Evan’s dynamic banter, insightful big-picture questions, and sharp analysis make this a rewarding listen for any Celtics or NBA fan.

(Skip to 10:44 for Derrick White and Pistons breakdown. Deep dive into roster/rotation from 17:11 onward. Big-picture NBA/league context at 13:39 and 49:18 for Jaylen Brown conversation.)