Boston Celtics center Neemias Queta exited Sunday’s win over the Orlando Magic about midway through the first quarter, after spraining his left ankle. The team listed Queta as questionable to return, but he never made his way back to the bench once he went back to the locker room.
As of Monday, there’s been no update in regards to his status for Wednesday’s matchup with the red-hot Detroit Pistons. There’s a chance he could play, but it’s probably safest to assume that he won’t.
The Thanksgiving Eve game vs. the Pistons kicks off what’ll be a tough stretch for Boston, to say the least. They’ll have a few days off before a pair of weekend games on the road against the Cleveland Cavaliers and Minnesota Timberwolves, before coming back home to host the New York Knicks next Tuesday.
All four matchups would be tough, regardless, but without Queta, who’s held down the starting center spot all season, the Cs might be in real trouble. Each of these teams has real talent in the frontcourt, with players like Jalen Duren, Jarrett Allen, Rudy Gobert, and Karl-Anthony Towns rounding out their respective starting lineups.
The Celtics have struggled without Neemias Queta this season
Not to mention that Queta has been essential to Boston’s success so far this season. According to Cleaning The Glass, the Portuguese big man has the highest on/off differential in the NBA at 26.1 points per 100 possessions.
There are plenty of dependent variables that go into a stat like this, but ultimately, the sentiment that Boston is better off with Queta on the floor still stands. His presence is felt most significantly on the defensive side of the floor. The Celtics’ defensive rating shoots up by over 20 points when he’s on the bench, meaning they’re getting far fewer stops.
What this boils down to is Queta’s rim-protecting ability, and the remainder of the frontcourt’s lack thereof. The 26-year-old averages 1.4 blocks per game, more than triple what other rotation mainstays like Luka Garza and Josh Minott provide.
Without Queta, the Celtics are going to either give up far more points at the rim or have to sell out and send tons of help to deter opponents from getting up tons of shots in the paint. If they lean into the latter, Boston will inevitably give up more points from the three-point line.
Plus, they’ve struggled to rebound the basketball at times this season, although they’ve tightened that up since their 0-3 start. There’s simply no universe where losing your starting center helps improve any rebounding issues. Get ready to watch opposing teams pile up second-chance points.
Queta’s production as a whole will be missed, too. He’s averaged 9.3 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game through 17 appearances this season. Not to mention how much he’s grown as a screener, helping his teammates create easier looks for themselves.
It’ll be interesting to see how Boston tries to make up for his absence, to say the very least.