Al Horford’s Absence Opens Door For Underrated Celtics Reserve

The Celtics play their first back-to-back set this season, and it could open up opportunity for a rotation change.

Boston ruled out Al Horford for Friday’s matchup against the Charlotte Hornets due to load management. The C’s managed the 38-year-old in a similar way last season, and their overtime loss to the Indiana Pacers showed Joe Mazzulla will rely on his team’s depth.

Horford played 19 minutes Wednesday and was essentially benched. Payton Pritchard stepped up and played 39 minutes. But the person who was called upon to fill Horford’s shoes was Neemias Queta.

The 25-year-old mostly played blowout minutes to start the season, but in a competitive matchup, Queta held his own. The big man collected nine rebounds — four offensive rebounds — while also scoring two points in 14 minutes. It could be the start of Queta earning real rotation minutes for the Celtics.

It’s a small sample size, but Queta’s proven to be an efficient scorer, and the 2021 second-round pick fits well with the rest of the starters despite not being a 3-point shooter.

Xavier Tillman and Luke Kornet will be the first names called on Friday night. However, when it comes to athleticism, Queta surpasses them. That will be important in key matchups like the one against the Pacers. This weekend will be the start of him earning the coaching staff’s trust in case Horford’s health becomes an issue or if Kristaps Porzingis suffers another injury.