{"id":401215,"date":"2025-11-24T11:37:27","date_gmt":"2025-11-24T11:37:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/401215\/"},"modified":"2025-11-24T11:37:27","modified_gmt":"2025-11-24T11:37:27","slug":"neemias-queta-injury-celtics-must-make-adjustments-if-center-misses-time","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/401215\/","title":{"rendered":"Neemias Queta injury: Celtics must make adjustments if center misses time"},"content":{"rendered":"

BOSTON \u2014 While the Celtics have been relatively injury-free to open the season, they did hit a snag Sunday in their win over the Magic<\/a>. Starting big man Neemias Queta was forced to leave the game<\/a> midway through the first quarter with a left ankle sprain.<\/p>\n

Queta never returned to Sunday\u2019s game after playing in six minutes. It\u2019s unclear what his status is going forward. Queta limped to the locker room after turning his left ankle, though he did walk under his own power. Regardless, it\u2019s an important injury if Queta is forced to miss any time as the Celtics will have to make adjustments.<\/p>\n

The Celtics already tweaked their rotation Sunday to account for Queta missing the majority of the night. Josh Minott, Jordan Walsh<\/a> and Chris Boucher got some form of minutes at the five, though part of that was the Magic also going small with their lineups.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re just continuing to get reps, different possessions,\u201d C\u2019s coach Joe Mazzulla said. \u201cI thought Josh gave us some great stuff. Just his ability to shoot tonight, and also he did a great job screening. I think Jordan\u2019s getting better and better, regardless of where he plays. So we\u2019ve just got to keep chipping away at those two guys. They\u2019ve got a chance to really help us, and they\u2019re getting better and better each game.\u201d<\/p>\n

The center spot was the biggest question mark for the Celtics going into this season as they lost three rotation players. But Queta has stepped up in the starting role as he\u2019s been one of the breakout guys this season. It\u2019s why it would be a significant blow if Queta is forced to sit any games.<\/p>\n

Luka Garza has been a primary backup if the Celtics need a big body in the paint. Garza brings an element of size and he\u2019s put up solid counting stats, though his defense is a question mark. Xavier Tillman is another big man option, though he\u2019s fallen out of the rotation to start the season.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d say just understanding the switch from being a four to going to the five, defensive coverage-wise and stuff like that,\u201d Minott said. \u201cUnderstanding when to switch when we\u2019re in a touch, drop, all that. So, it\u2019s just that mental switch.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Celtics have options, though matchups are a huge part of the equation. Both teams went small down the stretch Sunday as the scoring went up. The Celtics fended off the Magic\u2019s comeback attempt down the stretch.<\/p>\n

A lot will depend on Queta\u2019s status going forward. Mazzulla didn\u2019t have an update following Sunday\u2019s victory. Fortunately, the Celtics do have a lean stretch of games coming up, giving Queta time to rest the ankle if it\u2019s serious. The C\u2019s play one game in the next five days, which is against the Pistons at 5 p.m. Wednesday at TD Garden.<\/p>\n

\u201cAlways advantages and disadvantages,\u201d Mazzulla said of playing small. \u201cThe advantage is the speed that we could play with on the offensive end, the dribble drives, the pace that we can create. Defensively, we could pressure a little bit more. Obviously there are disadvantages. But I think you play faster, so you\u2019re just managing the sub patterns because I think obviously you exert more energy.\u201d<\/p>\n

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