Derrick White available for Game 3 vs. Heat

May 20 update: White is not on the injury report after missing Game 2 for personal reasons. He’ll be available for Game 3 in Boston. White missed Game 2 for the birth of his child, and the Celtics were able to get the split they wanted without his services. He’ll take over the backup point guard role when he returns for Game 3, impacting Payton Pritchard’s minutes.

Boston Celtics point guard Derrick White will not play in Game 2 against the Miami Heat Thursday for personal reasons. It looks like White is heading back to Boston for the birth of his child.

The Celtics are likely getting Marcus Smart back in this game, so White’s absence won’t be too big on the court. Payton Pritchard is line to get big minutes here with White out. Boston needs strong point guard play here with the possibility of going down 2-0, so we’ll see how Smart and Pritchard perform.

White has been struggling this postseason, averaging 6.7 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game. He’s shooting 34.7 percent from the field and 23.7 percent from behind the arc. Maybe his personal situation was weighing on him a bit, and he’ll start to play with a more free mind for the rest of the series. White is likely to be back for Game 3 in Boston Saturday.