On Thursday night, Neemias Queta was playing in the G League Finals with the Maine Celtics in Oklahoma City. By Friday evening, he was back at TD Garden helping the Boston Celtics destroy the Charlotte Hornets.
The quick turnaround wasn’t going to stop him.
“I feel like it’s about building habits. Good habits. Winning habits,” said Queta. “Being able to come out on the floor and play meaningful minutes on an NBA court is something that we [live our lives] for, and it’s gonna be important for our development long-term.
“So, the more minutes we can play and be able to contribute to winning, the more competitive we can be.”
Alongside fellow G League regulars Drew Peterson and JD Davison, the Celtics completely outclassed the Hornets. Boston’s bench mob earned a 33-point victory as Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Kristaps Porzingis, Derrick White, Jrue Holiday, and Al Horford all sat out.
Queta finished the night with 16 points, six rebounds, five assists, and two steals while shooting 8-of-10 from the field.
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Photo by Brian Fluharty/Getty Images
The Portuguese big man recently earned a standard contract with the Celtics, getting his two-way deal upgraded. It’s a multi-year deal, and he couldn’t be happier.
“Definitely feel grateful. I feel grateful for that,” said Queta. “It’s something that I’ve been working [toward] for a very long time, and it’s very fulfilling that I’m able to do it at this point of the year when the team is doing so good.”
He’s earned the respect of the organization, the coaching staff, and his teammates.
“I love Neemy,” said Payton Pritchard. “I’ve been a fan since Day 1. I actually did draft workouts with him [during] my junior year of college, and I ended up going back. So, I’ve been a fan of him since then.
“He’s a good kid, works really hard, and I think he has so much potential. I mean, he’s a great rebounder, has great hands, [and] finishes well. So, [he] definitely [has a] bright future, and we’re going to say on him and stay working, and he wants to be good himself.”
In 27 appearances with the Celtics this year, Queta has averaged 5.0 points and 4.2 rebounds while shooting 63.4% from the field. His activity on the glass and high-flying antics have helped him shine.
Queta even has a bid as the best alley-ooper on the Celtics.
“He’s up there. He might be one,” Pritchard said with a smile. “We got a couple. I mean, KP will go get them. Even Luke will go get them, too.”
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Photo by Brian Fluharty/Getty Images
Boston’s final regular season game will take place on Sunday afternoon against the Washington Wizards. Queta and the rest of the G Leaguers will be available to play. And with his newly-elevated contract, Queta will be eligible for playoff minutes, too.
“Being able to help the team [during the late run] and the playoffs is something I want to be just to be able to participate in that. It’s something I’m going to cherish,” said Queta. “And if my name gets called again, I want to be able to represent and help the team win.”
But for now, he’s ready to help Maine win a title. Game 3 is on Monday night, and it’s for all the marbles.
“It would be really cool,” Queta said of winning the G League championship. “All the guys put in the work during the whole year for one goal and one goal only, and that was to win this championship, and we’re just one win away at this point.
“So, we’re pretty confident about it, and we’re just going to go about it like any other day and just try to bring home a win our way.”
