Luka Garza may still sit third in Boston’s center pecking order, but Sunday was a reminder that he’s far from disposable.
When the Celtics signed Mitchell Robinson in the offseason, most of the conversation naturally shifted to the bigger names in the middle. The debate centered on whether Robinson or Neemias Queta would start, how Boston would manage those two in the rotation, and how much more paint presence the Celtics suddenly had on both ends. Garza, despite coming off a career year in his first season with the team, got pushed into the background.
That’s not where he should stay.
With Robinson resting against the Orlando Magic on Sunday, Garza got the chance to move up the depth chart and handle his largest role of the young season. He made it count. In Boston’s win, he finished with 12 points on 4-for-7 shooting, including 2-for-4 from deep, along with six rebounds, four assists and a steal in 21 minutes.
The performance looked like a clean snapshot of why Boston wanted him in the first place. Garza brings effort every possession.
He runs the floor, battles on the glass, sets solid screens and keeps possessions alive with his physicality and persistence. He’s not a lockdown defender, but he’s sturdy enough that opponents can’t just shove him out of the way in the lane or on the block.
The biggest part of his appeal, though, is right there in the shooting numbers. Garza is Boston’s only center who can truly stretch the floor, and he’s hitting 43.1% from three as a Celtic.
In a system like “Mazzulla Ball,” that kind of spacing matters. It gives the offense another layer, and it makes Garza more than just a depth piece.
He’s not irreplaceable, but he does bring something useful. There’s a clear team-first edge to the way he plays, and that kind of approach tends to earn minutes. If he keeps producing like he did against Orlando, Boston may have a hard time leaving him on the bench for long.
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Luka Garza Just Gave Celtics Fans A Real Rotation Debate
Luka Garza gave the Celtics something they did not always have in a rough offensive night: a frontcourt option who could space the floor. He scored 14 points and knocked down four 3-pointers, which stood out in a game where Boston had trouble getting much going and Houston dictated the action with its work inside and in transition.
For a team still sorting out its big-man mix, Garzas shooting touch adds a wrinkle the coaching staff has to weigh as the rotation gets revisited. The loss left Boston with more questions than answers, but it also offered a reminder that there may be another way to use the frontcourt if the Celtics want more perimeter punch from that group. [Read more 🡒]