Boston Celtics center Neemias Queta exited Sunday’s win over the Orlando Magic about midway through the first quarter with a left ankle sprain. Chris Boucher manned the center spot for a few minutes before Josh Minott replaced him with 8:29 remaining in the second quarter.
At that point, the Celtics were up 40-36 over the visitors. They grew the lead by 19 points over the next eight and a half minutes, rolling into halftime with an 80-57 advantage.
Minott, though not solely responsible, had a sizeable role in his team’s success during that span.
“I thought Josh gave us some great stuff, just his ability to shoot tonight and also do a great job screening,” Joe Mazzulla praised postgame.
The Celtics forward sank two of his three attempts from beyond the arc, bringing his season average above 40% from three-point land. A consistent jumpshot, something Minott has lacked throughout his NBA career, would go a long way for him, enabling him to play more minutes, as well as the team, which benefits from his chaotic energy on defense and on the boards.
His pair of triples came as part of a personal 10-0 run midway through the second, which partly fueled the Celtics’ 48-point frame.
Josh Minott just scored the last 10 points in a row for the Celtics (a thread) pic.twitter.com/tpZGEy7dMG
— Danielle Hobeika (@DanielleHobeika) November 24, 2025
“Josh did some great things, turning defense into offense,” Mazzulla continued.
Turning defense into offense is just sort of what Minott does. He battles with everything he has defensively and has the athleticism to pull off a highlight play at almost any time on offense.
Josh Minott hasn't let moving back to the bench ruin his fun
Those things are what endeared Minott not only to Celtics fans but also to the team’s coaching staff earlier this season. He earned his first career NBA start last month, then remained in the starting five for the following eight games, until he was replaced by Jordan Walsh, who’s started the past six games.
Some guys would be bitter about returning to the bench, but it’s been business as usual for Minott.
“If you were poor, and I gave you $20 bucks, and then instantly took $20 bucks, you never really felt like you had it, right?” he joked postgame. “It was nice, but I’m used to this position.”
His mindset hasn’t changed in the slightest, which was evident in his 16-point performance against Orlando.
“Just not forgetting who I am, where I came from, and what I’m capable of,” he shared. “I’m just staying true to myself and what I can do.”
What Minott can do seems to be the gift that keeps on giving. Coming into the season, many fans hadn’t even heard of the former Minnesota Timberwolves forward. They quickly learned that he has real potential with Boston as a defensive-minded wing, with his exciting play in the preseason.
A few weeks later, Minott showcased his skills as a rebounder, proving to be a solution to the Celtics’ significant struggles on the glass to start the season.
Now, he’s shown that he can thrive as a small-ball center in select situations, allowing the Celtics to play a faster, more exciting style of play.
“The advantage is the speed that we can play with on the offensive end, the dribble drive, the pace that we can create defensively, we can pressure a little bit more obviously disadvantages,” Mazzulla said of the small-ball lineup.
It’d be unfair to pretend like Orlando had their regular frontcourt on Sunday, though. Both Wendell Carter Jr. and Goga Bitadze watched from the sidelines, making it easier for the Celtics to get away with not running a true center.
Regardless, Minott made the most of his opportunity and gave himself a confidence boost heading into Wednesday’s matchup with the top-seeded Detroit Pistons.