Garza produced zero points (0-2 FG, 0-2 3Pt) and one block in nine minutes during Saturday's 109-100 loss to the 76ers in Game 7 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Garza was elevated into the starting lineup, presumably to deal with the size of Joel Embiid. Although it may have made sense on the surface, Garza was simply no match for Embiid on either end of the floor and ended up playing just nine minutes. The Game 7 loss closes out what was an indifferent season for Garza. While he was mostly a part of the rotation, his role fluctuated and his playing time was typically reliant on the availability of either Neemias Queta or Nikola Vucevic. Across 69 regular-season appearances (six starts), Garza averaged 8.1 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 16.2 minutes per contest.
... See More... See Less
Celtics' Luka Garza: Starting Saturday
Rotowire
Garza will start Saturday's Game 7 of the Eastern Conference first-round series against Philadelphia, Sean Grande of NBC Sports Boston reports.
The 27-year-old center will get the starting nod over Neemias Queta in Saturday's do-or-die matchup. Garza started six games in the regular season, during which he averaged 12.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and 0.7 assists in 22.7 minutes per showing.
... See More... See Less
Celtics' Neemias Queta: Foul trouble in Sunday's win
Rotowire
Queta posted 13 points (5-5 FG, 3-4 FT), two rebounds, one assist and one block over 15 minutes during the Celtics' 123-91 win over the 76ers in Game 1 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs Sunday.
Both Queta and Nikola Vucevic found themselves in foul trouble in the first half, which prompted head coach Joe Mazulla to deploy Luka Garza more than anticipated. Queta still scored in double digits despite the lack of playing time, and if he can avoid foul trouble, he could have some productive stat lines in Round 1 while going up against Andre Drummond and Adem Bona, though Queta would have his hands full on the defensive end of the floor if Joel Embiid (appendectomy) is cleared to return.
... See More... See Less
Celtics' Luka Garza: Not starting Game 1
Rotowire
Garza is not in the Celtics' lineup against the 76ers for Game 1 on Sunday.
Garza started in Boston's regular-season finale against Orlando on April 12, when he played 38 minutes and finished with 27 points, 12 rebounds, one assist, one steal and three three-pointers in a 113-108 win. He will retreat to the bench for Sunday's contest and serve in a backup role behind Neemias Queta and Nikola Vucevic, though Garza may have a hard time finding some playing time given that rotations tend to shrink for the playoffs.
... See More... See Less
Celtics' Luka Garza: Dominates in unlikely win
Rotowire
Garza supplied 27 points (10-18 FG, 3-6 3Pt, 4-4 FT), 12 rebounds, one assist and one steal across 38 minutes during Sunday's 113-108 win over the Magic.
Garza was a force to be reckoned with, helping lift Boston to an impressive victory over Orlando. This performance puts a cherry on top of what has been a solid regular season for Garza, albeit as the second- or third-string center on most nights. With Neemias Queta (toe) and Nikola Vucevic (finger) both likely to return for the playoffs, Garza will almost certainly resume his role as a depth piece.
... See More... See Less
Celtics' Luka Garza: Starting sans Queta
Rotowire
Garza is in the Celtics' starting lineup against the Magic on Sunday.
With Neemias Queta (toe) sidelined, Garza will be in Boston's starting five for the sixth time this season. Garza's last start took place March 30 against the Hawks, when he played 28 minutes and finished with 20 points, nine rebounds, one assist and one block in a 112-102 loss.
... See More... See Less
Celtics' Luka Garza: Back to bench vs. Miami
Rotowire
Garza is not in the Celtics' starting lineup against the Heat on Wednesday.
Garza excelled in his spot start against the Hawks on Monday, when he played 28 minutes and finished with 20 points, nine rebounds, one assist, one block and two three-pointers in a 112-102 loss. He'll revert to his usual bench role for Wednesday's contest due to the return of Neemias Queta (thumb). Garza should continue to see meaningful minutes off the bench until Nikola Vucevic (finger) is cleared to return.
... See More... See Less
Celtics' Luka Garza: Joining first unit
Rotowire
Garza is starting Monday's game against the Hawks, Sean Grande of NBC Sports Boston reports.
Neemias Queta (thumb) has been ruled out for Monday's clash, which opens the door for Garza to make his fifth start of the 2025-26 campaign. His last start dates back to Feb. 8 against New York, when he recorded six points and three rebounds in 15 minutes.
... See More... See Less
Celtics' Luka Garza: Drops 15 points in win
Rotowire
Garza amassed 15 points (5-6 FG, 2-2 3Pt, 3-4 FT), one rebound and three assists in 15 minutes during Saturday's 111-100 win over the Wizards.
Garza was productive off the bench, scoring 15 points, falling just one point short of his season high. With Nikola Vucevic (finger) on the sideline, Garza has cemented himself as the primary backup behind Neemias Queta. While this was an encouraging performance, as a player outside the top 280 in seven games over the past two weeks, Garza's value is limited to deeper formats.
... See More... See Less
Celtics' Luka Garza: Adds 10 points in win
Rotowire
Garza contributed 10 points (4-8 FG, 2-6 3Pt), three rebounds, two blocks and one assist over 18 minutes during Friday's 120-100 win over the Mavericks.
Garza saw at least 15 minutes of action for a third consecutive contest due to Nikola Vucevic suffering a fractured finger in the opening quarter. Garza turned in a solid outing on the offensive end, scoring in double figures for the first time since Feb. 4. He also chipped in at least two blocks for just the third time this season. Vucevic is expected to miss at least one month with the finger injury, so Garza is likely to operate as Neemias Queta's primary backup for the time being.
... See More... See Less
Celtics' Luka Garza: Grabs 10 boards Monday
Rotowire
Garza racked up seven points (3-6 FG, 1-2 FT), 10 rebounds and one assist across 20 minutes during Monday's 108-81 win over the Bucks.
Garza saw meaningful minutes, with Neemias Queta given the night off for rest purposes. Although Garza had been trending up prior to the trade deadline, the acquisition of Nikola Vucevic put an end to any fantasy upside he might have had. For now, he should be looked at as nothing more than a schedule-based streaming consideration.
... See More... See Less
Celtics' Luka Garza: Muted role continues
Rotowire
Garza contributed three points (1-4 FG, 1-3 3Pt) and three rebounds in four minutes during Tuesday's 97-81 win over the Suns.
Garza continues to play third fiddle at center following the acquisition of Nikola Vucevic prior to the trade deadline, playing limited minutes behind both Vucevic and Neemias Queta. In four games over the past two weeks, Garza has averaged just 1.5 points and 1.0 rebounds in 3.6 minutes per contest, leaving him well off the fantasy radar.
... See More... See Less
Celtics' Luka Garza: Headed to bench
Rotowire
Garza will come off the bench for Wednesday's game against the Bulls, Justin Turpin of WEEI.com reports.
Garza started the past three games for the Celtics, but head coach Joe Mazzulla will switch things up for Wednesday's match. As a reserve this season, Garza owns averages of 8.1 points and 4.4 rebounds per contest.
... See More... See Less
Celtics' Luka Garza: Season-high four triples
Rotowire
Garza registered 16 points (6-8 FG, 4-4 3Pt), four rebounds, one assist, one block and two steals across 20 minutes during Tuesday's 110-100 victory over the Mavericks.
Garza connected on a season-high four three-pointers, helping the Celtics to a relatively comfortable win. While Garza has been able to carve out a somewhat consistent role as the backup center, Tuesday's acquisition of Nikola Vucevic from the Bulls could signal an end to that. Those holding Garza in deeper formats will want to keep a close eye on the rotation once Vucevic lands in Boston.
... See More... See Less
Celtics' Luka Garza: Unavailable Monday
Rotowire
Garza (illness) has been ruled out for Monday's game against the Trail Blazers, Justin Turpin of WEEI.com reports.
Garza was added to the injury report as questionable earlier in the day due to an illness, and he'll ultimately be held out of Monday's clash. Neemias Queta and Amari Williams should see more playing time with Garza sidelined.
... See More... See Less
Celtics' Luka Garza: Scores in double figures
Rotowire
Garza had 11 points (5-5 FG, 1-1 3Pt) and five rebounds over 19 minutes during Wednesday's 114-110 loss to Denver.
Garza has come to life to open January by scoring in double digits in three of his first four appearances of the month. He's averaging 21.8 minutes over this stretch. He should continue to see opportunities at center, as he appears to be close on the heels of Neemias Queta, who is averaging 23.8 minutes over this same four-game span.
... See More... See Less
Celtics' Luka Garza: Provides spark in victory
Rotowire
Garza recorded 15 points (6-8 FG, 2-2 3Pt, 1-1 FT), six rebounds, one block and one steal across 19 minutes during Tuesday's 129-119 victory over Utah.
Garza bounced back in a big way after scoring five points on 1-of-4 shooting from the field in Sunday's loss to Portland. He logged double-digit minutes for a fifth straight game and provided a crucial spark off the bench, finishing as one of six Celtics players to score in double figures. The big man has had an inconsistent role in the Boston rotation this season, though he has seen meaningful minutes of late. Garza has appeared in five straight matchups for Boston following a four-game stretch in which he did not see the court. During that span, he has averaged 10.6 points and 6.4 rebounds over 21.4 minutes per tilt.
... See More... See Less
Celtics' Luka Garza: Limited to 11 minutes
Rotowire
Garza posted five points (1-4 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 2-2 FT) and three rebounds in 11 minutes during Sunday's 114-108 loss to the Trail Blazers.
Garza has been effective in limited minutes off the Boston bench recently. Over his last four appearances, he's seen 22.0 minutes per contest with 9.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.8 assists on 60.0 percent shooting. His workload Sunday was disappointing, but he's certainly worth keeping an eye on in deeper formats.
... See More... See Less
Celtics' Luka Garza: Starting sans Queta
Rotowire
Garza is in the starting lineup for Wednesday's game against Detroit, Justin Turpin of WEEI.com reports.
Neemias Queta is missing his first game of the season due to a sprained ankle. Garza has averaged 7.0 points, 4.4 rebounds and 0.7 assists in 15.2 minutes per tilt over 10 games this month, but his minutes should creep into the 20s in the first unit against the Pistons.
... See More... See Less
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.
