The Boston Celtics arguably have the best trio of guards in the NBA in Marcus Smart, Derrick White, and Malcolm Brogdon in regards to impacting the game in ways only they can be successful in doing so on both ends of the court.

Last night in Charlotte, the Celtics won 122-106 but at the expense of White, who left early in the first quarter due to a neck sprain after Smart ran into him. White quickly hit the floor while holding his neck before being helped back to the locker room, he did not return to the game.

The Derrick White injury … pic.twitter.com/z5jsnfsXVu

— Chris Forsberg (@ChrisForsberg_) January 15, 2023

Although it was early in the game, White was already off to a hot start. He made all three of his shot attempts, scoring eight points in four minutes.

There isn’t any further information on White’s injury, which the Celtics have called a neck strain. But coach Joe Mazzulla told reporters after the game that he talked with White and he’s doing ok.

Joe Mazzulla gives injury update on Derrick White, and how Malcolm Brogdon stepped up in his absence ☘️ pic.twitter.com/TjR14gnPk3

— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) January 15, 2023

It’s worth mentioning Jaylen Brown is also out with an adductor injury, forcing him to be out for at least two weeks but there isn’t any real timetable for his return. The same can be said for White’s neck strain.

This also isn’t the first occurrence we’ve seen a Celtics player leave a game with a neck injury in recent years. In a similar situation, Kemba Walker bumped into Semi Ojeleye in Denver in 2019, forcing him to leave on a stretcher.

The Celtics play the Hornets again on Monday at 1:00 on MLK Day.

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