Joe Mazzulla Reveals Source Of Neemias Queta's Breakout Season For Celtics
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Boston Celtics center Neemias Queta has turned into something of a walking double-double these days, and it's beginning to feel like he's a legit candidate for Most Improved Player.
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Queta's story in 2025-26 has been one of the best across the NBA, as he's completed the narrative arc of a G League regular to a starting big man for one of the NBA's best teams.
The Athletic's John Hollinger wrote about Queta's rise this week, including a quote from Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla suggesting that Queta's FIBA performances for Portugal over the summer activated a new level for the center.
“(When) he was playing in FIBA this summer, I thought he had a different approach to it. And then, just his growth,” Mazzulla said, per Hollinger. “I think the evolution of his game, but also the evolution of his mindset, taking on the ownership and responsibility of what it means to be the starting center for the Celtics. He takes a lot of pride in that.”
Neemias Queta had his 13th double-double of the season this evening:
— Justin Turpin (@JustinmTurpin) March 15, 2026
24 points
11-13 FG (84.6%)
10 rebounds
3 assists
2 blocks
1 steal
Can't say enough about the season he is having
Queta is now averaging 10 points and 8.4 rebounds per game for the Celts through 63 games played this season.
Standout recent performances include a career-high 27 points and 17 rebounds against Philadelphia on March 1, 16 points and 15 rebounds versus Dallas on March 6, and, most recently, 24 points and 10 rebounds in a win over Washington on Saturday night.
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