In the first quarter of Sunday's 138-129 win over the Orlando Magic, Neemias Questa sustained a left ankle sprain. The injury occurred after he sprinted back to contest an Anthony Black layup attempt. The Boston Celtics' starting center came down hobbling. He limped to the bench before quickly departing for the locker room.
Queta did not return to the matchup. The score in a contest that remained a lopsided affair until a comeback bid by the visitors in the final frame could have been the reason. However, with him ruled out for Wednesday's game against the Detroit Pistons, that clearly is not the case.
Fortunately, before Boston's NBA Cup competition, Joe Mazzulla shared an encouraging progress report on the fifth-year center's ankle.
"He's day-to-day," said Mazzulla. "We just kind of assess him every day. He's gotten a little bit better today than he was when it initially happened. So, we're just kind of taking it from there each day."
How will the Celtics handle Queta's absence?
One way is by making the decision to call up Amari Williams. The former Kentucky Wildcats star center has been impressing while with the franchise's G League affiliate in Maine.
Williams isn't just capable of bringing the ball up the floor and delivering dimes. His head coach at Kentucky, Mark Pope, told this author about that he believes the seven-foot center: "He's got the potential to be an elite-level defensive player."
The Celtics selected the Nottingham, England native with the 46th overall pick in the second round of this year's draft. Whether they believe he is ready to contribute to a depleted center rotation against the Pistons, the top team in the Eastern Conference, is one thing.
However, even if they don't throw him into the fire against Jalen Duren, who's evolved into an All-Star-caliber center, and Isaiah Stewart, one of the league's most physical players at the position, they may need to give Williams his first NBA minutes.
Up next, Boston will square off against the Minnesota Timberwolves. That presents another formidable front-court tandem. Grappling against Julius Randle and Rudy Gobert could lead to an opportunity for Williams.
Of course, in front of him are veterans Xavier Tillman Sr. and Luka Garza. The latter will start in Queta's absence against the Pistons. There's also Chris Boucher. However, while he received an opportunity against the Magic, as a more slender option, Joe Mazzulla calling his number will have to make sense against the opposing personnel on the floor.
Time will tell if any of these individuals seize this opportunity while Queta works his way back to the lineup.