Luka Garza is flat-out torching the nets right now, pulling down an insane 52.4% from beyond the arc. Seriously, that clip not only leads the Celtics, but it puts him top of all Eastern Conference centers averaging at least 2.6 attempts. This guy isn’t just a shooter, he’s making his mark: he went from playing less than nine minutes a game through the first five outings of the season to nearly 19 in the last three against Orlando, Houston, and Milwaukee. He’s demanding attention, and it’s paying off big time.
Garza’s Green Light From Deep
On Wednesday against the Milwaukee Bucks, Garza came off the bench and immediately set the tone. He wasn’t in the starting lineup, with Jayson Tatum out, but his routine stayed rock solid. When Coach Joe Mazzulla called his number at the 5:37 mark in the first quarter, replacing Hugo González, Garza answered right away. His first shot? A wide-open 3-pointer from the wing, extending Boston’s lead to 25-8. Less than a minute later, he nabbed a steal, and Payton Pritchard cashed in with a jumper. By halftime, Garza had knocked down all three of his 3-point attempts and led the Celtics with 11 points.
This isn’t a fluke, either. Garza has been crushing it from deep, just like last season. He’s 6-of-8 from the corners and 11-of-21 overall from three through the first eight games. Mazzulla’s using him as a legit outside shooting threat, a drive-and-kick option for guys like Paul George and Pritchard, and it’s been super effective. When Garza is on the perimeter, defenses simply can’t leave him unattended.
Reliability and Second Chances
Even though Mazzulla didn’t deploy him as much in the second half against Milwaukee, Garza’s 18 minutes were loud. He reinforced just how reliable he is. Since the start of November, Garza is averaging 12.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, and two assists. And listen, this dude isn’t just about the threes. He’s got a knack for creating second chances on the offensive glass, too. He’s already grabbed 15 offensive rebounds this season, right behind Mitchell Robinson’s 17 and Neemias Queta’s 18 for the team lead.
Coming into the season, all the talk was about the starting center debate between Queta and Robinson. But quietly, Garza has been doing his thing, putting together a serious case to play every single night. He’s not just a rotational guy; he’s proving he can step up, deliver, and make a real impact whenever his number gets called.
This isn’t just about a good game or two; it’s about a veteran stepping into a bigger role and absolutely crushing it, showing he belongs on the floor.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Celtics Blog.
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