In a nail-biting 117-116 season-opening loss to the Philadelphia 76ers, the Boston Celtics may have found an unexpected answer to their biggest preseason question. All the talk centered on whether the Celtics could survive without Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford. On Wednesday night, Neemias Queta didn’t just fill the void—he exploded from it, delivering a stunning performance that completely overshadowed former MVP Joel Embiid and provided a massive silver lining for Celtics fans.
The Tale of the Tape: A Shockingly Lopsided Duel
The head-to-head battle at the center position was not just a win for Queta; it was a rout. The stats, as pointed out by StatMuse, tell a dramatic story:
Neemias Queta (BOS): 17 points, 8 rebounds, 7-8 FG (87.5% shooting)
Joel Embiid (PHI): 4 points, 6 rebounds, 1-9 FG (11.1% shooting), -17 plus/minus
Queta was efficient, dominant in his role, and a clear positive force for the Celtics. Embiid, on the other hand, looked out of sync and was a net negative on the court during his 20 minutes of action.
Context is Key: Embiid’s Rust vs. Queta’s Seized Opportunity
It’s crucial to provide context. Joel Embiid is still working his way back from a second knee surgery and was on a minutes restriction. He had shown flashes of his old self in a preseason game just days prior.
However, that takes nothing away from Queta’s accomplishment. The Celtics’ big man didn’t just have a good game; he “certainly took advantage” of the situation. He was ready, confident, and executed with a level of efficiency that nobody outside the Celtics’ locker room likely anticipated. For a player who averaged just 5.0 points and 3.8 rebounds last season, this was a monumental step forward.
The Big Picture: What This Means for the Celtics
While it’s just one game, this performance is a massive confidence booster for both Queta and the Celtics organization.
Answered Questions: It provides early evidence that the center position, while different, may not be the gaping hole many feared.
Roster Flexibility: A productive Queta gives Coach Joe Mazzulla more lineup options and preserves the team’s depth.
A Building Block: For Queta, this is a career-defining performance that could cement his role as the starter and fuel his development throughout the season.
The Celtics may have lost the game on the scoreboard, but they may have won something far more valuable: clarity and hope at the center position. Neemias Queta’s breakout game against a former MVP proves that he is ready for his expanded role. While Joel Embiid will undoubtedly return to form, Queta served notice to the entire league that he is a force to be reckoned with. As the Celtics look ahead to a matchup with the New York Knicks, they do so with a newfound belief that their new-look frontcourt might just be capable of holding its own.