Neemias Queta might’ve flown under the radar early in his NBA journey, but after Saturday night’s performance in Minnesota, the league is officially on notice.
After missing just one game with a left ankle sprain, the 26-year-old center returned to the Celtics’ lineup and delivered a stat line that hasn’t been seen in Boston since Robert Parish was patrolling the paint back in 1989. That’s not just a good night - that’s history.
In 29 minutes against the Timberwolves, Queta posted 19 points (tying his career high), 18 rebounds (a new personal best), 10 of those boards on the defensive end, eight on the offensive glass, and added two blocks for good measure. And he did it efficiently - 7-of-8 from the field - against a frontcourt that featured Rudy Gobert and Julius Randle. That’s no easy task, and Queta made it look like business as usual.
Let’s put this into perspective: it’s rare for a big man to dominate both ends of the glass while scoring with that kind of efficiency, especially when matched up against two of the league’s more physical interior players. But Queta didn’t just hold his own - he controlled the paint. His eight offensive rebounds were a game-changer, creating second-chance opportunities that kept Boston in it until the final buzzer of a tight 119-115 loss.
What makes this even more impressive is that it came in his first game back from injury. He tweaked his ankle in last Sunday’s win over Orlando and sat out Wednesday’s matchup with Detroit - a narrow 117-114 Celtics win that snapped the Pistons’ 13-game losing streak.
But there was no rust in his return. If anything, he looked sharper, more confident, and more assertive than ever.
This breakout performance is the latest chapter in what’s becoming a standout season for Queta. With the departures of Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford, and Luke Kornet in the offseason, the door opened for someone to step up in Boston’s frontcourt. Queta has kicked that door off the hinges.
He’s averaging career highs across the board and has quickly become one of the Celtics’ most reliable interior defenders. His timing, positioning, and physicality have given Boston a new defensive anchor, and his ability to clean the glass - especially on the offensive end - is giving the Celtics extra possessions that matter in close games like Saturday’s.
Boston is playing it smart with his workload. After logging heavy minutes and putting up historic numbers, the Celtics held Queta out of Sunday’s game against the Cavaliers to avoid overextending him. The plan is to have him ready for Tuesday’s home matchup against the Knicks - a game that could give him another national stage to show just how far he’s come.
Queta’s journey has been anything but conventional, but now that he’s got the opportunity and the minutes, he’s making the most of them. The Celtics needed someone to step up in the paint - and Neemias Queta has answered that call with authority.