In a season where the Boston Celtics were expected to take a step back following Jayson Tatum’s injury, the team has exceeded expectations and remains firmly in the title conversation, currently sitting second in the Eastern Conference.
In Tatum’s absence, the core of Jaylen Brown, Derrick White and Payton Pritchard has stepped up in a major way, with all three averaging over 16 points per game. However, one player quietly making a significant impact has been big man Neemias Queta.
Queta is averaging 10.2 points and 8.4 rebounds per game while shooting an efficient 64.8% from the field in 25.5 minutes per night. The 26-year-old delivered another strong performance on Sunday against the Toronto Raptors, finishing with 18 points, seven rebounds, four assists and three blocks in a 115–101 win.
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Following the game, Queta drew high praise from his teammates, including Brown, who went as far as to advocate for his case in the Most Improved Player of the Year race.
"Neemi's been great," Brown said postgame. "He's been just consistently getting better. Protecting the rim, finishing, making those little shots, rebounding. He's been great. In my opinion, he's probably one of the most improved players this year. I don't know if he's up for the award, but he should be."
Queta joined Boston in 2023 and was part of the team’s championship run the following season. However, over his first two years, he started just six games and averaged above 5 points per contest.
After the departures of Kristaps Porzingis, Luke Kornet, and Al Horford in the offseason, the Celtics placed their trust in Queta, and it has paid off. He has started 71 games this season and has emerged as a reliable presence in the frontcourt, developing strong chemistry with Brown, White, and, more recently, Tatum. His ability to make quick, effective reads in real time has been particularly impressive.
For context, Queta had never averaged more than six points per game in his career prior to this season. Now, with his production nearly doubling while playing a key role for a contender, he has built a compelling case for Most Improved Player consideration.
"Yeah, I think about it all the time. I feel like I've made a good case for it," Queta said. "Like we say, there's stuff that we can't control. At the end of the day, I'm just helping the team win. And that's my main goal. Obviously, that's secondary, the [award], but I'm just glad I'm helping my teammates getting to the spot we're in right now. And whether I win it or I don't win it, it's not gonna change my perspective and the approach I take every night."
It may not change his mindset, but it would certainly be the finishing touch on what is shaping up to be a career-defining season for the former second-round pick.
