Neemias Queta doesn’t sound like a player treating the NBA Cup like a sideshow. For him, the in-season tournament brings a different edge, a different feel, and a chance for the Celtics to chase something they haven’t really reached in this event before.
“It’s always fun,” Queta said. “Having these boards and having a different feel at the game and different stakes out there.”
That extra energy is part of what Boston is buying into this season. The NBA Cup was built to give teams something meaningful to play for early in the schedule, and Queta likes the way it changes the tone of those games. He said the league is trying to create “a better competitive environment” and that the early-season grind can get “kind of monotonous sometimes,” making the added stakes a welcome shift.
For the Celtics, there’s also a simple competitive reason to care: they haven’t gone far in the tournament yet. Queta pointed to that as another push for Boston to make a real run this time.
“For us, we never got far in the tournament, so I think that’s another layer of motivation for us,” Queta said. “Meaning that we can go all the way and get the win. Winning the tournament would mean a lot for us too.”
Boston’s first step in Group C comes Oct. 30 against the Bulls. The Celtics will host Chicago and Atlanta at TD Garden, then travel for group games against Charlotte and Washington.
An NBA Cup title wouldn’t replace the Celtics’ bigger goal, but it would still give them a trophy to chase and a chance to build momentum during the regular season.
In Other News...
Celtics Injury Scare Faded Fast But One Bigger Concern Still Looms
Payton Pritchards brief scare in Wednesdays game turned out to be exactly that, a scare. The Celtics guard left after a right eye abrasion affected his vision, but he was back in the mix by Friday at Charlotte, easing immediate concern around a player who has become a steady part of Bostons rotation. Pritchard also dealt with a right shoulder contusion, and he spoke about the teams progress this season as the Celtics continue sorting out their early rhythm.
The larger question around Boston, though, still sits with Jayson Tatum and the long road back from his Achilles injury. Tatum has been managing occasional rest nights as he works through the recovery process, a reminder that the Celtics are still balancing short-term availability with the bigger picture of getting their star fully right. For a team trying to build momentum, Pritchards quick return helped, but the more important health storyline is still the one that will shape Bostons season for a while. [Read more 🡒]
Luka Garza Is Forcing A Celtics Rotation Decision
Luka Garza has quietly given the Celtics something they did not necessarily expect this early in the season: a reserve big who can stretch the floor and hold his own enough to stay on the court. In limited minutes, he has looked efficient as a scorer, knocked down threes at a strong clip and shown enough defensive improvement to make him more than just a situational option.
For a team always balancing depth, spacing and frontcourt fit, that kind of early production can force a real rotation conversation. Garza has done enough to make a case for a larger role, and the Celtics now have to decide whether what he has shown is a small-sample spark or the start of something they should lean into more often. [Read more 🡒]
Derrick White Just Gave The Celtics What They Need Most
Derrick White gave the Celtics a needed lift in the win over the Hornets, blending the kind of joy and aggression that has made him such an important part of Bostons rotation. He finished with 18 points, knocked down four 3-pointers, and added five assists, four rebounds and a steal while looking every bit like the steady two-way presence the Celtics lean on when the offense needs a jolt.
Whites value goes well beyond the box score, though his shot-making was especially welcome after an uneven start to the season from deep. Boston has long counted on him as both a playmaker and a defender, and nights like this are a reminder of why his game fits so cleanly alongside the teams bigger stars. [Read more 🡒]