One of the busiest Boston Celtics injury reports in a while got busier on Friday morning when starting center Neemias Queta was listed as questionable due to non-COVID illness. Queta joined Derrick White, who is simply getting a night of rest, Josh Minott, who is battling a sprained ankle, and Jayson Tatum, who continues to rehab his torn Achilles tendon.
Any time Queta misses time, which isn’t often, there’s some level of concern for Boston’s frontcourt. Of course, the lack of depth down low was one of the more dominant storylines heading into the season.
Fortunately for the Celtics, the Portuguese big man has stepped into the starting role quite comfortably. Queta is averaging 10.4 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game through 41 starts this season -- extreme levels of production from a guy who was effectively the team’s fourth-string center last season.
Just last game, Queta swatted away shot after shot en route to a five-block outing against the Indiana Pacers. That was one of many notable performances from the 26-year-old. Earlier this month, Queta secured 20 rebounds, 10 defensive and 10 offensive, in a loss to the Denver Nuggets. He was the first Celtics player to do so since Robert Parish.
There’s a legitimate case for him to win the league’s Most Improved Player Award.
That's Luka Garza's music
In his absence, however, the Cs will rely on a strong night from backup center Luka Garza. Garza has had himself an incredible month off the bench since returning to the lineup on Dec. 20. There wasn’t anything wrong with him; Joe Mazzulla just favored others in his rotation for most of November and December.
Over his last 15 appearances, Garza is averaging 9.4 points and 5.4 rebounds while shooting 60.4% from the field and 50% from beyond the arc. His effectiveness as a screener opens up plenty of offensive opportunities for him and his teammates. Not to mention all of the extra possessions he creates on the offensive glass.
The only issue with relying on Garza to play heavy minutes is that he can be prone to picking up quick fouls. In Monday’s loss to the Pistons, he gave the Celtics some good shifts, but his playing time was cut short because he got into foul trouble.
If that happens against the Nets on Friday, that could mean more opportunity for Xavier Tillman Sr. or rookie Amari Williams.