Neemias Queta's second EuroBasket appearance leaves one question looming large

Neemias Queta turned heads with his first appearance at EuroBasket. He generated 23 points, 18 rebounds, four blocks, and two steals. The Boston Celtics center became the first player with more than 20 points and 15 rebounds in their EuroBasket debut since 1995. That's according to the tournament's official account on X.

Queta was energetic and assertive in Portugal's 62-50 win over Czechoslovakia. He was active on both ends of the court, ran the floor in transition, and finished well around the basket. He went 11/15 from the field. That includes stepping into a three.

For an encore, he had to prove himself against three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic. Unfortunately for Portugal, that was a tough draw. Serbia played from in front en route to an 80-69 victory at Arena Riga in Latvia.

Queta finished with six points, two blocks, two rebounds, and a pair of assists. Jokic led the way for a Serbian team filled with current and former NBA players. He registered 23 points and 10 rebounds, both game-highs, in the win. The star center also had three assists, two steals, and two blocks. He matched Queta for the most rejections in the matchup.

Will Neemias Queta play on Saturday?

Celtics fans may not have to wait long to see Queta take the floor again. Portugal will square off against Turkey on Saturday. That game will tip off at 2:15 p.m. ET.

It is fair to wonder if Queta will be in uniform, though. The seven-foot-center underwent a procedure on his left knee in May. He logged 21:43 against Serbia in the first half of this back-to-back. If he is feeling good and has the green light to play, watching him square off against Houston Rockets All-Star center Alperen Sengun would be an entertaining battle.

It's also another measuring stick matchup as Queta continues ramping up this offseason for the chance to become Boston's starting center. Fortunately for him, even if he doesn't play on Saturday, he'll have another opportunity of that nature on Monday.

Queta will face former teammate Kristaps Porzingis when Portugal plays Latvia, one of EuroBasket's host countries, on its home turf. The two even had a chance to meet up for a brief exchange on Friday.

Porzingis had just helped Latvia earn a 72-70 victory vs. Estonia. After registering 10 points on 3/12 shooting and committing six turnovers in a 93-73 loss to Turkey on Wednesday, the former Celtics center bounced back in a big way. He delivered a game-high 26 points, snagged seven rebounds, and swatted two shots in the win.

It was an encouraging response that could help Porzingis build momentum entering Monday's matchup against Queta.