Garza finished Tuesday's 113-99 win over Brooklyn with five points (1-1 FG, 3-4 FT), five rebounds and one steal across 20 minutes.
Neemias Queta has a strong grip on the starting center role, but Garza doesn't have much competition as the backup center with Chris Boucher completely out of the mix. Through 14 outings, Garza is averaging 14.1 minutes per game with 7.1 points, 4.2 rebounds, 0.8 assists, 0.4 steals and 0.4 blocks on 58.1 percent shooting from the field.
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Celtics' Luka Garza: Productive again off bench
Rotowire
Garza totaled nine points (3-7 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 3-4 FT) and eight rebounds in 19 minutes during Tuesday's 102-100 loss to the 76ers.
Garza has been granted more opportunities in two straight matchups and has made them count. He came close to a double-double Tuesday night and shouldered his heaviest workload of the year in terms of minutes. Neemias Queta has also been playing well for Boston, so while it doesn't look as though Garza will take hold of the starting center role anytime soon, it's been reassuring to see the Iowa product add value in the scoring column and on the boards when given the chance.
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Celtics' Luka Garza: Flirts with double-double in win
Rotowire
Garza logged 16 points (7-8 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 2-4 FT), eight rebounds, three assists and one steal across 17 minutes during Sunday's 111-107 win over the Magic.
Garza played his most minutes Sunday since Oct. 27, when he also dropped 16 points. While Garza's role is very inconsistent, performances like Sunday's provide optimism that he may be able to garner more playing time moving forward.
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Celtics' Luka Garza: Minimal impact Monday
Rotowire
Garza ended Monday's 105-103 loss to Utah with two points (0-2 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 2-2 FT), two rebounds, one assist and one steal in 11 minutes.
Garza has failed to make much of an impact in recent outings, scoring just two points in as many games. It appears he's won the job as Boston's backup center behind Neemias Queta, but Garza's production hasn't been worth a roster spot in most fantasy leagues.
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Celtics' Luka Garza: Logs 16 off bench in win
Rotowire
Garza accumulated 16 points (5-7 FG, 3-4 3Pt, 3-4 FT), six rebounds and one assist across 19 minutes during Monday's 122-90 win over the Pelicans.
Garza exploded for his first double-digit scoring performance this season, which may have been fueled partly by the blowout nature of the game, with Boston pulling its starters in the fourth quarter. Regardless, Garza has shown that he can be an asset in the rotation if given the opportunity, and he may be awarded more playing time if he can put up another strong outing.
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Celtics' Luka Garza: Active Sunday
Rotowire
Garza (concussion) is available for Sunday's game against the Pistons.
After missing Friday's game against the Knicks, Garza has cleared concussion protocol and will suit up Sunday. The big man is unlikely to see much time on the court as the third-string center behind Neemias Queta and Xavier Tillman.
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Celtics' Luka Garza: Upgraded to probable
Rotowire
Garza (concussion) is probable for Sunday's game against the Pistons, Jay King of The Athletic reports.
Garza missed Friday's game against the Knicks while in concussion protocol but appears on track to return Sunday. He's unlikely to see heavy minutes, though the center rotation among him, Neemias Queta and Xavier Tillman is far from settled.
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Celtics' Luka Garza: Questionable for Sunday
Rotowire
Garza (concussion) is questionable to play in Sunday's game against the Pistons.
Garza is in danger of missing a second straight game due to being in concussion protocol. If he can't play Sunday, his next chance to suit up will be Monday against the Pelicans.
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Celtics' Luka Garza: Won't play Friday
Rotowire
Garza (concussion) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Knicks, Zack Cox of the Boston Herald reports.
Garza continues to be in concussion protocol. He won't return to the floor until he goes through the process and is cleared. The team will likely lean on Xavier Tillman and Chris Boucher behind Neemias Queta in the frontcourt.
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Celtics' Luka Garza: Enters concussion protocol
Rotowire
Garza has entered the league-mandated concussion protocol testing, and he will not return to Wednesday's game against the 76ers, Souichi Terada of The Springfield Republican reports.
Garza collided with Adem Bona during the second quarter, and now that he's been diagnosed with a concussion, he'll need to clear a series of tests before he's allowed to return to the floor. Expect more minutes for Neemias Queta and Xavier Tillman while he's out.
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Celtics' Luka Garza: Another strong showing
Rotowire
Garza produced 12 points (3-7 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 6-7 FT), six rebounds, two assists and one steal across 17 minutes of Friday's 107-105 preseason loss to Toronto.
Neemias Queta made his first appearance of the preseason and was in the first unit, but he had a tough showing with five turnovers and three fouls in 17 minutes. Garza was far more impactful off the bench, and he was coming off a double-double in the preseason opener versus Memphis. While Queta seems to have the edge for now, Garza is making a concerted effort to become more involved.
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Celtics' Luka Garza: Double-doubles in preseason win
Rotowire
Garza finished with 10 points (2-3 FG, 6-9 FT), 10 rebounds and one block in 16 minutes during Wednesday's preseason win over the Grizzlies.
Despite coming off the bench, Garza joined Derrick White as the only two Boston players to record a double-double. With Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford both shipped out during the offseason, the starting center spot is seemingly up for grabs. While it does appear as though Neemias Queta could get first crack at the role, this performance by Garza should at least keep him in the running. The position battle is something to keep an eye on, even once the regular season begins.
Garza agreed to a two-year, $5.5 million contract with the Celtics on Monday, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.
Garza will get a new opportunity with the Celtics after the Timberwolves declined the team option on his contract Sunday. The Iowa product averaged 3.5 points and 1.4 rebounds across 5.6 minutes per game in 39 regular-season appearances during the 2024-25 campaign. However, with Luke Kornet joining the Spurs and Al Horford exploring unrestricted free agency, Garza could be in line for an increased role in Boston.
The Timberwolves declined their team option for Garza on Sunday, Michael Scotto of USA Today reports.
Garza is now set to hit free agency and explore opportunities elsewhere. The 26-year-old big man has struggled to find a consistent role through his first four seasons and saw just 5.6 minutes per game across 39 regular-season appearances during the 2024-25 campaign.
Garza racked up four points (2-2 FG) and two rebounds over seven minutes during Wednesday's 124-94 loss to the Thunder in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals.
All five of Garza's playoff appearances this season came in games that were decided by at least 20 points. The 26-year-old big man averaged 3.5 points and 1.4 rebounds in 5.6 minutes across 39 regular-season appearances in 2024-25. Garza has a $2.35 million team option for 2025-26.
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Timberwolves' Luka Garza: Cracks rotation Saturday
Rotowire
Garza recorded seven points (3-3 FG, 1-1 3Pt) across five minutes during Saturday's 143-101 win over the Thunder in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals.
Garza appeared in a game for just the fourth time these playoffs, scoring a postseason-high seven points. With the result all but settled heading into the final quarter, Minnesota was able to trot out its fringe players, providing them with a rare opportunity to see the court. The Timberwolves will be looking to build on this performance when the two teams line up again in Game 4 on Monday night at Target Center.
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