The Boston Celtics wrapped up the preseason with a 110-108 victory over the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday. Although Boston had a good lead late in the game, Toronto increased the ball pressure and forced the Celtics into turnovers and tough shots. After a timeout, Toronto tied it up with a three-pointer, before Xavier Tillman Sr. hit a floater with 0.8 seconds left on the clock.
Going into the preseason, the Celtics' frontcourt depth was a question mark the team would try to answer. With many minutes available, the preseason was a perfect chance for players to showcase why they should get the playing time when the regular season begins. After Wednesday's game, head coach Joe Mazzulla highlighted one center and how he can be much better.
"Tonight was good. It’s hard. We're gonna be hard on (Neemias Queta)," Mazzulla said, according to WEEI's Justin Turpin. "I told him, this is what you've worked your whole life for: The chance to start for the Celtics... What we saw tonight, I think he can (do) better than that. But that’s the guy we need.”
Celtics HC Joe Mazzulla Expects from Neemias Queta in 2025-26
Entering the preseason, Neemias Queta was viewed as the Celtics' starting center for the season. He'd been with the team the longest and has the physical tools to become a solid center in the league. The biggest competitor for the starting center spot was free agent signing Luka Garza. When the games began, though, Queta's play wasn't great.
During the first preseason game, Queta sat due to rest alongside Anfernee Simons and Payton Pritchard. In the next two games, Queta didn't make an impact and was barely noticeable on the court. In the first meeting against the Raptors, Queta played 17 minutes and scored four points and secured five rebounds, though he had three fouls and five turnovers.
Things didn't get better against the Cleveland Cavaliers, with Queta playing only seven minutes. While the game was a blowout, other players who'll see minutes in the rotation played close to 20 minutes that game. The preseason wasn't looking good for Queta until he saved his best performance for the finale.
When Toronto came to Boston, Queta was ready to play, having his best performance of the preseason. In 21 minutes, Queta would finish with eight points and 12 rebounds, while picking up four blocks and only fouling once. Unlike the prior two games, you could see Queta make an impact on the game when he was out on the court.
Now entering the regular season, the Celtics will need Queta to be able to play like that consistently if the team wants to be competitive. To become a better player, he needs to build off of good performances and remain consistent, and eliminate mental mistakes.
The biggest thing Queta can do to continue seeing playing time on the court is rebounding. We saw how much of an emphasis Mazzulla put on rebounding, and it shouldn't be any different during the regular season.