Celtics Role Player Opens Up About Inconsistent Playing Time
Luka Garza is making the most of his opportunity
Being an NBA role player isn’t easy. Your minutes can change on a nightly basis, and you never know how much or how little you’re going to play, or when you’ll be summoned off the bench. You always have to be prepared.
Just look at Boston Celtics center Luka Garza. After making a good impression early in the season, he scarcely played from late November to mid-December. During an 11-game span from Nov. 23 through Dec. 19, he only appeared in four games and logged just 26 total minutes despite being fully healthy. Joe Mazzulla appeared to forget about him while continuing to tinker with his lineups.
Now, all of a sudden, Garza is back in the Celtics’ rotation. He’s logged his two highest minutes totals of the season over Boston’s last two games, playing 26 minutes on Saturday and 24 minutes on Monday.
Fortunately, the 26-year-old was ready and seized the opportunity, notching 18 points, 19 rebounds, five assists, two blocks and a plus-35 in those two games combined.
After helping the Celtics overcome a 20-point deficit against the Indiana Pacers on Monday, Garza spoke about dealing with the challenge of inconsistent playing time.
“I knew it was coming back, just the way Joe is mixing it up all the time. That’s what I’ve always wanted in the past, and haven’t been able to get unless there’s an injury, or two guys are down, or whatever it is,” Garza told reporters during his postgame interview.
“So I knew it was coming back. It was just a matter of time, and I just wanted to make sure, when I got that chance, that I went out there and did everything I could to help the Celtics,” Garza added.
Now on his third team in five NBA seasons, Garza is used to scrapping for minutes and waiting his turn. His 14.2 minutes per game this season are a career high for him, so his patience is paying off.
