NBA Writer Says Celtics ‘Would Probably Be A .500 Team’ Without Neemias Queta’s Contributions

Preseason expectations for the 2025-26 Boston Celtics were mixed, but few, if any experts had the team pegged for a 22-12 start as the campaign reaches its halfway point.

Many media members thought that with no Jayson Tatum for much of the year and the departures of Al Horford, Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porzingis and Luke Kornet, the Celtics would be a .500 team this winter.

With their current three-game winning streak, however, Boston is set to begin its four-game homestand on Monday night vs. the Chicago Bulls at a season-best 10 games over .500.

Head coach Joe Mazzulla’s guidance and Jaylen Brown’s stellar play have certainly been primary reasons for the success, but first-year starter Neemias Queta’s contributions have also been crucial.

The center is a contender for the NBA’s Most Improved Player of the Year award and earned heavy praise from The Ringer’s Michael Pina.

The latter included Queta on his list of “Eight NBA Players Who Are Taking a Leap This Season” on Monday.

“If you thought the Celtics would be really good this season, congratulations, you are way smarter than I am. And if one of the fundamental tenets of your argument was ‘Neemias Queta will become a reliable two-way center who does way more than run the floor, protect the rim, and somehow avoid persistent foul trouble,’ my compliments: You are a basketball prophet,” the senior staff writer said. “Considering their lack of depth at his position and how important his size and ancillary shot creation are to how they operate on both ends, the Celtics would probably be a .500 team if Queta weren’t able to handle all this increased responsibility. The fact that he can deserves recognition.”

With the calendar flipped to 2026, there’s now a big enough sample size to say that the former second-round pick is having the best season of his career.

Queta has played in and started 32 of the Celtics’ first 34 contests this season and leads the team in rebounds (7.7) per game and field goal percentage (.660).