Celtics youngster just got ejected from most important game in 18 years

Boston Celtics center Neemias Queta just got ejected from Portugal’s win-or-go-home EuroBasket game against Estonia. Midway through the third quarter, in what was a one-possession game, Queta finished a tough shot at the rim and screamed out ‘And-one!’ in celebration. Referees stopped the game and issued him his second technical foul of the game, which meant he was ejected.

Estonia and Portugal both went into the game with 1-3 records in the group stage, ranked fourth and fifth in the group, respectively. But since the top four teams in each group advance to the knockout stage, the victor would move forward in the tournament, while the loser would head home empty-handed.

Despite Queta’s ejection, the game went down to the wire. After both sides traded baskets and free throws down the stretch of the fourth quarter, it was Portugal that managed to hang on. 

How did Portugal pull out the win?

Estonia led by as many as 10 points in the third quarter, yet Portugal managed to climb all the way back. By the time Queta got ejected at the 4:34 mark, his layup put his squad up by one point.

As the end of the fourth quarter rolled around, the game was tight. Rafael Lisboa nailed a clutch three to tie the game with just under a minute remaining and followed it up with two free throws to give Portugal a one-point lead with 22 seconds left.

Then, as time ticked down with the shot clock shut off, Miguel Queiroz stopped an Estonia layup attempt, and Lisboa nailed two more free throws after an intentional foul.

Portugal ended the contest with a 68-65 victory, and as the final buzzer sounded, Queta sprinted back onto the court to celebrate with his teammates. In the same year that Portugal earned its first EuroBasket win in 18 years, it also managed to advance to the knockout stage.

Was Neemias Queta’s ejection deserved?

Following Queta’s ejection, there was plenty of discourse on social media regarding whether or not it was deserved.

At the time it was given, Queta already had one technical foul. Portugal had just stormed back from down by 10 points in its most important game in nearly two decades, and Queta’s layup just gave them the lead.

If there were ever a moment for emotions to come pouring out, it was that one. Yet the referees didn’t give Queta much grace.

Regardless, Portugal still managed to pull off a victory with Queta sidelined.