Queta posted 17 points (7-8 FG, 3-3 FT), 12 rebounds and one assist over 33 minutes during Saturday's 109-100 loss to the 76ers in Game 7 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Queta moved back to the bench, although he still managed to log a series-high 33 minutes. While it was a breakout season for the big man, he was outplayed by Joel Embiid over the final four games of the series, when Embiid averaged 28.0 points and 9.0 rebounds. Looking ahead, Boston has some decisions to make regarding its frontcourt. Queta is seemingly the leading option at center, but that could change if the organization opts to go in another direction. He put up several career-high numbers in the regular season, during which he averaged 10.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.3 blocks and 0.8 steals in 25.3 minutes per game across 76 outings (75 starts).
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Celtics' Neemias Queta: Not starting Game 7
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Queta won't start Saturday's Game 7 of the Eastern Conference first-round series against Philadelphia, Sean Grande of NBC Sports Boston reports.
Queta combined for 25 rebounds in the last two games of this series. However, with Jayson Tatum (knee) ruled out, head coach Joe Mazzulla is making some adjustments heading into Game 7, with Luka Garza entering the starting lineup. Still, it's reasonable to assume Queta will see more minutes than anyone else at the position despite coming off the bench.
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Celtics' Neemias Queta: Grabs 14 boards in Game 5 loss
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Queta contributed eight points (4-8 FG, 0-2 FT), 14 rebounds and one assist across 26 minutes during Tuesday's 113-97 loss to the 76ers in Game 5 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Queta picked up his fourth foul early in the third quarter, allowing Joel Embiid to feast down low. Although he did manage to play 26 minutes, Queta's absence at key points was certainly an issue for the Celtics. While his numbers haven't jumped off the page, Queta's presence on the defensive end is going to be crucial heading into Game 6 on Thursday.
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Celtics' Luka Garza: Not starting Game 1
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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.
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Celtics' Neemias Queta: Not listed on injury report
Rotowire
Queta (toe) isn't listed on the injury report for Sunday's Game 1 against the 76ers.
Queta missed Boston's regular-season finale due to a right toe sprain but is good to go for the start of the playoffs. Over six regular-season appearances in April, the big man averaged 13.7 points, 8.8 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.0 blocks in 26.3 minutes per showing.
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Celtics' Nikola Vucevic: Cleared for Game 1
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Vucevic (finger) is not listed on the injury report ahead of Game 1 against the 76ers on Sunday.
Vucevic missed 14 consecutive games from March 8 to April 3 due to a fractured right index finger. He returned to action April 5 and appeared in four games before sitting out the Celtics' regular-season finale against the Magic this past Sunday, and he'll be available for the start of Boston's playoff run. Vucevic will likely serve as the top big man off the bench behind starting center Neemias Queta.
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Celtics' Neemias Queta: Available Friday
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Queta (toe) is available for Friday's game versus New Orleans, Jay King of The Athletic reports.
As expected, Queta is overcoming a probable designation due to a toe injury Friday. The big man has scored in double figures in six consecutive contests, a stretch during which he's recorded three double-doubles.
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Celtics' Neemias Queta: Probable for Friday
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Queta (toe) is probable for Friday's game against the Pelicans, Taylor Snow of the Celtics' official site reports.
Queta is expected to push through this injury for the second leg of this back-to-back set. He double-doubled against the Knicks on Thursday with 10 points, 10 rebounds, two assists and two steals in 24 minutes.
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Celtics' Neemias Queta: Iffy for Thursday
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Queta (toe) is questionable for Thursday's game against the Knicks.
The toe sprain is a new concern for Queta, who has missed just two games since the All-Star break. If the big man is unable to suit up in the front end of this back-to-back, Nikola Vucevic and Luka Garza would be candidates to take on expanded roles.
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Celtics' Neemias Queta: Scores 18 points with three swats
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Queta notched 18 points (9-10 FG), seven rebounds, four assists and three blocks in 34 minutes during Sunday's 115-101 victory over Toronto.
Queta was a beast on the offensive glass, creating numerous second-chance opportunities for the Celtics with his five offensive boards. The Celtics welcomed NIkola Vucevic (finger) back from a one-month absence Sunday, but he was limited to just 13 minutes while Queta continued to operate as the team's clear preferred option at center.
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Celtics' Neemias Queta: Picks up another double-double
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Queta closed Friday's 133-101 win over Milwaukee with 19 points (8-11 FG, 3-4 FT), 10 rebounds, two assists and four blocks in 29 minutes.
It was Queta's second straight double-double, and his 16th of the season. The fifth-year center has pulled down double-digit boards in nine of his last 14 games, averaging 10.9 points, 9.0 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.3 blocks in 28.1 minutes over that stretch while shooting 64.2 percent from the floor.
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Celtics' Neemias Queta: Removed from injury report
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Queta (thumb) is off the injury report for Wednesday's game against Miami, Justin Turpin of WEEI.com reports.
After sitting out Monday's loss to the Hawks with a thumb injury, Queta is ready to get back into the lineup Wednesday and will likely push Luka Garza to the bench. Queta has averaged 11.0 points, 8.1 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 27.9 minutes per contest across his last eight games, shooting 69.1 percent from the field during this stretch.
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Celtics' Neemias Queta: Unavailable versus Atlanta
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Queta (thumb) won't play in Monday's game against the Hawks, according to Keith Smith of Spotrac.com.
Queta finished with 17 points, eight rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block in Sunday's 114-99 win over Charlotte. However, he won't suit up for the second of a back-to-back, meaning his next opportunity to play will be Wednesday in Miami. With Queta ruled out, Luka Garza is anticipated to enter the starting lineup. In four starts this season, Garza has averaged 6.8 points, 3.3 rebounds, 0.5 assists and 0.5 steals across 17.8 minutes of work.
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Celtics' Neemias Queta: Doubtful for Monday
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Queta is doubtful for Monday's game against the Hawks with a right thumb sprain.
The injury likely isn't a major concern for Queta, who may just be in line for a maintenance day as the Celtics enter the second leg of a back-to-back set. Assuming Queta ends up sitting out Monday, Luka Garza and Amari Williams will likely absorb most of the minutes at center.
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Celtics' Neemias Queta: Nets 17 points with eight boards
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Queta contributed 17 points (8-13 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 1-2 FT), eight rebounds, one assist, one block and one steal across 29 minutes during Sunday's 114-99 victory over the Hornets.
Queta attempted just his sixth three-pointer of the season in this one, but it ended like the previous five -- with a miss. While he regularly brings donuts to the three-point category, he's still been flirting with top-75 value on the season thanks to his solid output in rebounding (8.3), shot blocking (1.3) and field goal percentage (64).
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Celtics' Neemias Queta: Available to play
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Queta (thumb) is available for Sunday's game in Charlotte, Bobby Krivitsky of Forbes.com reports.
Queta will power through the thumb issue and should see his usual minutes as a starter Sunday. Queta is averaging 9.8 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game this season.
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Celtics' Neemias Queta: Trending toward playing Sunday
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Queta (thumb) has been upgraded from questionable to probable for Sunday's game against Charlotte, Taylor Snow of the Celtics' official site reports.
It looks like Queta will play through a right thumb sprain for Sunday's game, though there's no guarantee that he'll be available for the second leg of the Celtics' back-to-back set against the Hawks on Monday. Queta has logged double-digit rebounds in three of his last four outings and has averaged 10.1 points, 8.1 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 0.9 blocks over 27.9 minutes per game across his last seven appearances.
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Celtics' Neemias Queta: Iffy to play Sunday
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Queta (thumb) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Hornets, Justin Turpin of WEEI.com reports.
Queta has recently been playing through a right thumb sprain. The injury hasn't been severe enough for him to miss time, but if he doesn't play Sunday, then Luka Garza would be the top candidate to enter the Celtics' starting lineup. Since March 1, Queta has averaged 9.9 points, 8.9 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.1 blocks over 26.6 minutes per contest.
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Celtics' Neemias Queta: Cleared to play
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Queta (thumb) will play Friday against the Hawks, Kevin Chouinard of the Hawks' official site reports.
Queta will shake off a questionable tag for this contest. He's been terrific over his last six contests, averaging 11.0 points, 7.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 0.8 blocks in 27.9 minutes per contest.
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Celtics' Neemias Queta: Questionable with thumb sprain
Rotowire
Queta is questionable for Friday's game against Atlanta with a right thumb sprain.
Queta is at risk of missing just his fifth contest of the season Friday. If the big man cannot suit up, Luka Garza would likely start at center and make sense as a strong plug-and-play fantasy option in most leagues.
