BOSTON — According to Boston Celtics PR, big man Neemias Queta is QUESTIONABLE to return to their Sunday night game against the Orlando Magic due to a left ankle sprain. With 6:09 remaining in the first quarter, Queta got called for a foul against Anthony Black in transition. Immediately after the play, he came up limping and eventually walked back into the tunnel with trainers during the timeout.
A few plays earlier, it appeared as though Queta was moving gingerly on the court, though he eventually began running normally again. But after the contest in transition, as he headed back toward the locker room, he seemed to be in a lot of pain.
Should Queta miss time, the Celtics could be in some serious trouble.
Neemias Queta sprained ankle during Celtics vs. Magic
In his first year as the Celtics’ full-time starting center, Queta has been incredible this season. Luka Garza has played some okay minutes behind him, but Boston is a different team when Queta is on the court.
Queta leads the entire Celtics roster in total +/- by a long shot this season. On the year, he is a +126, which is more than double the mark of the next guy on the list (Jordan Walsh and Payton Pritchard are tied at a +62).
Neemias Queta to the locker room after coming up limping after a play at the rim. pic.twitter.com/Jdqad0ZsrV
— Celtics on CLNS (@CelticsCLNS) November 23, 2025
His defense, in particular, has been a game-changer for the Celtics. With his length and improved positioning, Boston has been able to sustain (around) a top-10 defense for much of the season thus far, despite losing Jayson Tatum, Jrue Holiday, Al Horford, Kristaps Porzingis, and Luke Kornet this summer.
On top of that, his offensive game has been crucial, too. He’s developed a nice chemistry with Pritchard, Derrick White, and Jaylen Brown in the pick-and-roll, and his short-roll reads have improved each and every game.
If Queta does end up having to miss time, the Celtics will be forced to turn elsewhere for their starting center spot, as the Portuguese big man has started every game this season.
Garza seems like the likely candidate to take over the position, though Joe Mazzulla could look to someone like Chris Boucher or Xavier Tillman if he wanted to keep Garza in the backup role.
When Queta exited the game, Boucher took his spot on the floor, not Garza. Perhaps that could be an indication of the team’s desire to keep the latter’s minutes consistent.
Regardless, Queta’s absence, if he does end up missing some games, would leave a huge hole in the Celtics’ rotation. There isn’t anyone on their roster who can replace the defensive presence that he brings to the court.
And that could be a major problem.