We say almost because deep reserve Celtics center Neemias Queta managed to get on the floor for 19 minutes of game time.

Boston Celtics center Neemias Queta (88) celebrates with Luke Kornet during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Philadelphia 76ers, Thursday, March 6, 2025, in Boston. (AP

Boston Celtics center Neemias Queta (88) celebrates near Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. (1) and Celtics guard Payton Pritchard (11) after scoring the second half of an NBA basketball

Such is the case for Boston big man Neemias Queta, who does not get as much playing time as he sits behind Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford, and Luke Kornet, but when given the opportunity he usually makes the most of it.

Horford will continue to sit out one leg of Boston's back-to-backs Thursday due to his toe injury. With Kristaps Porzingis (knee) also out, Neemias Queta and Luke Kornet are set to receive the bulk of the team's center minutes against Philadelphia.

The Celtics assigned Queta to the G League's Maine Celtics before he was later recalled to the NBA on Saturday. Queta likely joined the G League Celtics for Saturday's practice ahead of their matchup against the Grand Rapids Gold on Tuesday.

Queta is not in the Celtics' starting lineup against the Lakers on Saturday, Justin Turpin of WEEI.com reports. Queta made his sixth start of the season Thursday against the 76ers and finished with eight points,

Queta provided a nice lift off the Celtics bench Sunday, leading all second unit players in rebounds while finishing two points short of a double-double. Queta matched a season high in rebounds, having hauled in 10 boards on two occasions.

Such is the case for Boston big man Neemias Queta, who does not get as much playing time as he sits behind Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford, and Luke Kornet, but when given the opportunity he usually makes the most of it.

With a 47-18 record, the Boston Celtics are in prime position to repeat as champions. One of the more interesting storylines from this season has been Payton Pritchard‘s Sixth Man of the Year candidacy.

Is backup Boston Celtics big man Neemias Queta the team's temporary replacement for Kristaps Porzingis? With the Latvian center slated to miss most if not all of the portion of the 2024-25 NBA season falling during this (2024) calendar year due to a rare ankle injury he picked up in the 2024 NBA Finals,

At the time, many analysts felt Boston needed to add bench depth to ease the workload on the six-man crew of Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, Al Horford, Porzingis and Holiday. Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla had a different plan in mind. He decided to look inward and place his faith in Pritchard, Hauser and Kornet.