Celtics Star Finally Wins Major Defensive Award For First Time

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Boston Celtics star Derrick White is one of the best defenders in the NBA. Now, he finally has some hardware to prove it.

White was named Eastern Conference Defensive Player of the Month for February, the first time he's won the award in his nine-year NBA career. San Antonio Spurs superstar Victor Wembanyama won the award in the Western Conference.

It's a well-deserved honor for White, who played in all 11 Celtics games last month and helped the team go 9-2 with his elite perimeter defense. He averaged 1.7 blocks and 0.8 steals per game, notching multiple blocks six times and cementing his status as one of the best shot-blocking guards in the league.

An absolute dawg on defense 😤

Congrats, Derrick pic.twitter.com/mwzEKBLyNB

— Boston Celtics (@celtics) March 3, 2026

He was also consistent, recording at least one block and one steal in six straight games to close out the month. 

The 31-year-old guard scuffled a bit offensively, shooting just 39.5 percent from the floor in February. However, he made up for it with his outstanding defense, passing and rebounding.

White's off to a good start in March with three steals and two blocks in two games, helping Boston win both. He'll try to keep it up on Wednesday against the Charlotte Hornets at home.

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