Neemias Queta underwent an arthroscopic surgery on his left knee after the Celtics‘ season ended in May, the big man told Bobby Manning of CLNS Media.
The procedure addressed a knee issue that has lingered for multiple seasons, according to Queta. Because the surgery occurred early in the offseason, he was able to resume on-court and conditioning work in July and hopes to suit up for Portugal in the EuroBasket tournament, which begins on August 27.
“It’s been good,” Queta said of his recovery process, per Manning. “We’ve been dealing with this stuff (since) a couple years ago. We just decided it was a great time for us to do it. We’re trying to get back to 100%. We feel pretty confident in the process and we’re just grateful that we were taken care of, and I want to make sure I’m healthy and get back to 100% and I feel like I’m on the right path to do that.”
Queta, who turned 26 last month, set new career highs in 2024/25 by appearing in 62 games and averaging 13.9 minutes per contest. With Kristaps Porzingis missing some time for health reasons and Boston managing Al Horford‘s workload, Queta was a regular contributor and averaged 5.0 points and 3.8 rebounds per game.
The Celtics traded Porzingis to Atlanta this offseason, Luke Kornet signed in San Antonio, and Horford isn’t expected to return to Boston, so there could be an opportunity for Queta to earn an even bigger role in 2025/26. Luka Garza and Xavier Tillman are among the other options in the frontcourt, but Queta – who has been working with Maine Celtics assistant Taaj Ridley – is aiming to get back to 100% soon and prove he deserves significant minutes this fall.
“We’re getting there slowly but surely,” he told Manning. “We’re reconditioning our body, we’re figuring out ways to be athletic, ways to be out there moving well. We’re just trying to figure out the movement patterns to get back and I think it’s going well. I’m really confident in the work that I put in, the amount of hours that I put in and it’s gonna show.”
Seriously? Queeta is the only big they have with a pulse.
I’m not at all worried about the Celtics roster next year, but another serviceable big would be nice.
See what happens when simons, Niang can be traded.
Yeah, I obviously know that.
Point stands. Some bigs would be nice.
They don’t have a PF either, they pretty much have no proven bigs at all., I like Queeta though, he’s a walking double double if he can cut down on fouls.
Ghost, Don’t be so defensive. We’re all on the same page as hoops fans.
He’s just making a point that there’s probably a couple trades coming up and the Celtics could maybe get a big man after that or with the trade itself.
Luka Garza might have to step up along with Norris and Tillman.
I agree though this year is thin at the 4 and 5. Queta and Niang probably will be starting
@ Ghost….could go all 3 ball crazy. White, Simons, Brown, Hauser, Queta. Go get them boards big man, lol. I doubt Simons is on the roster, though.
Yes Nrg, it’s amazing the shortage of big men today. Anyone who is any good has been signed, sealed and delivered.
Hope there’s someone out there for both the Celtics and my Warriors. We might have a promise with Al Horford, but still need some big dudes who can play.
I wouldn’t mind if Boston tanked this season. But, I would like Vuch if he was to resign on a more team friendly deal. It’s probably that time in his career. Could fill the Horford role quite well in Boston. Horford will be good for the Warriors. Need all your guys healthy, though. He won’t stuff the stat sheet. Just make the right plays both ends.
He has been playing well for Boston. I can see why they let Kornet walk. He should be able to give them more than 20 mins. I always thought Horford would come back.
Personally, I would rather Luke, but we didn’t have that cash. Im glad he got paid. Turned himself into a legit rotation piece. Spurs will be turning back a lot of shots and crashing that O glass.
I like Kornet. He plays a smart big mans game.
Kornet would do a random tactic by just jumping straight up not always near his man confusing the shooter.
It’s good he got his first REAL contract
I would think Horford would stay too but with new management showing everyone they are giving up letting the team disassemble and just picking up picks in the draft, all they had to do is trade their picks and young bench pieces for salary relief. If all of Luka Garza, Queta, Tillman and Norris all step up all year then they might be good
GS and ATL are better places for Horford
Horford is worth more than a veterans minimum salary
Garza can shoot and score. He hasn’t been given a real chance. He is slow but smart. He rebounds too.i think given a chance he can give good mins off the bench 14-16.
Have fun in Utah Niang….never liked him and would much rather a two-way guy even at the cost of two seconds.