The Boston Celtics rolled to a 112-93 win over the Sacramento Kings on Friday night, marking their 30th victory of the season-and for center Neemias Queta, this one carried a little extra weight.
Before finding a home in Boston, Queta spent his first two NBA seasons with the Kings. It didn’t quite pan out there.
Sacramento ultimately let him go, and that opened the door for the Celtics to bring him in. Fast forward to now, and Queta isn’t just on the roster-he’s the team’s starting center and having the best season of his career.
Friday night wasn’t Queta’s sharpest shooting performance-he hit just 36.4% from the field-but his impact went far beyond the box score. He posted 10 points, pulled down 15 rebounds, dished out two assists, swiped three steals, and added a block.
That’s the kind of all-around presence Boston has come to rely on. He’s become a tone-setter defensively and a physical force on the glass, and he’s doing it with the kind of energy that’s hard to teach.
After the game, Queta kept it simple but meaningful: “I’m really happy that Boston stepped up. I’m happy where I’m at.”
It’s not hard to see why. Queta has started all but one of the 45 games he’s played this season, averaging 10 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game while shooting an impressive 63.3% from the floor.
He’s not just finishing plays-he’s anchoring them. His verticality and rim-running have added a new dimension to Boston’s offense, while his defensive instincts and rebounding have helped solidify the paint.
In a season where the Celtics have looked every bit like a contender, Queta’s emergence has been one of the more quietly important developments. He’s not the headline-grabber, but ask anyone in that locker room or coaching staff, and they’ll tell you-his presence matters.
Credit the Celtics front office, once again, for spotting value where others didn’t. Brad Stevens and company saw something in Queta, and now he’s proving them right, game after game.
Boston will be back in action Sunday afternoon with a marquee matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks-a showdown that could have postseason implications. And if recent games are any indication, expect Queta to keep doing the dirty work that helps this team keep rolling.