Celtics Make Big Neemias Queta Announcement Ahead of Knicks Game

The Boston Celtics picked up win No. 54 on the season in last night’s game against the up-start Charlotte Hornets. 

Boston continues to check all the boxes ahead of the playoffs after a slower midseason. Since the return of Jayson Tatum back in early March, the Celtics have gone 13-2 and have embodied a lot of what is reflected in a contender. 

This season has produced a myriad of storylines for this storied franchise. Star swingman Jaylen Brown has assembled an MVP-caliber season; Tatum made a miraculous injury comeback just 10 months after incurring a ruptured Achilles Tendon; the team has even won well north of 50 games when it was projected to win somewhere in the low 40s. 

And then perhaps most surprising of all: the rise of Neemias Queta. 

Quetta, 26, has found a home in Boston this year. He has been featured more and has taken advantage in virtually every possible way. 

The Celtics were deemed a weak frontcourt team after the departure of Kristaps Porzingis and then Al Horford — two veteran star big men who helped Boston win the title. 

Seeing a hole at the dunker’s spot, Quetta didn’t shy away from seizing the opportunity. 

Boston Celtics Make Big Man’s Case for Major Award

It is almost that time again.

In a matter of days, voters will be required to seal their ballots and send them in. The outcome of the voting for each award is always highly anticipated by fans and players alike. For observers, it’s fun watching their favorite players get recognized. For those in the running for the award itself, winning or even coming close can mean massive for their individual careers. 

This year, the Celtics have two guys in the running for a couple of different awards. Of course, one is Brown, an MVP candidate, and the other is (wait for it) Queta. 

Yes, Queta. 

The 26-year-old Portuguese center not only earned a starting spot on a franchise with 18 banners, but also became a legitimate contender for this year’s Most Improved Player award. 

And his organization is fully pushing his case. 

Numbers over naysayers 😤

Neemi for MIP pic.twitter.com/H8PnYaK38Y

— Boston Celtics (@celtics) April 8, 2026

https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

Does Queta Have a Strong Shot At Winning the Award? Well…

This season, Queta is averaging 10.3 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game on over 65% shooting from the floor. In his last four games — all Celtics victories — Queta has averaged 16.3 points on 67% shooting. 

The Boston big man is having a season worth applause and has shown enough this season that he can be counted on in the playoffs by head coach Joe Mazzulla; however, there is simply too much competition he faces in the race to the Most Improved Player.

Heck, perhaps the top candidate for the award, Atlanta Hawks star Jalen Johnson, is trying to fend off his own teammate, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, for the honor. The George Mikan Trophy is almost certainly headed to Atlanta. To whom it goes remains to be season.

Nevertheless, Queta has been integral in keeping the Celtics very much among the league’s giants this season. He has fought, scrapped, clawed, out-hussled and out-rebounded the opposing big man on many nights. 

It’s safe to say Boston will continue to depend on him as its center of the future. 

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