Luka Garza exploded for a game-high 22 points and snatched 10 rebounds, leading the Boston Celtics to a 124-113 preseason win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on October 8th in Cleveland. This wasn’t just a solid outing; it was a loud statement from a player determined to make his mark.
Garza Didn’t Miss a Beat, or a Second Chance
With the Celtics taking a cautious approach to kick off the preseason, stars Jayson Tatum and Paul George, alongside centers Neemias Queta and Mitchell Robinson, were all sidelined. This opened the door for Luka Garza to get the starting nod under substitute head coaches Tony Dobbins and DJ MacLeay, and boy, did he seize the moment. Right from the jump, in the game’s opening 2:21, Garza picked up exactly where he left off last season. He grabbed an offensive rebound, sunk a catch-and-shoot three-pointer off an inbound pass from Hugo González, and then delivered a clean block on Cleveland’s Jarrett Allen. That kind of tenacity carried him throughout the entire game, and afterward, the second-year Celtic made it clear it’s the standard he plans to uphold every single night. “That’s how we can help this team. That’s how you can make an impact every single night,” Garza told NBC Sports Boston’s Abby Chin postgame. “Crashing the glass, creating second shots for our team. We’re a dangerous offense, so the more shots we can get, the better we’re gonna do.”
Second Chances Are Garza’s Forte, And The Celtics Need It
While the entire offseason spotlight has been shining on whether Queta or Robinson would secure the starting five spot, Garza used his first chance on the court to issue a powerful reminder of his impact. His relentless pursuit of second chances absolutely plagued the Cavaliers, and that energy quickly became infectious among the rest of the Celtics. Every single starter contributed to the team’s impressive 21 offensive rebounds in the game, with Garza himself pulling down four, nearly matching Cleveland’s entire team total of six. This isn’t new for him, either. Last season, snagging second chances became Garza’s specialty as a first-year Celtic, as he finished with 146 offensive rebounds, ranking fifth among all bench players in the league. “It’s something I just learned when I was young,” Garza told reporters, per CLNS Media. “I’m a guy who wants the ball in my hands, and when I was younger nobody would throw it to me, so I had to go get it off the glass. So that’s what started it, and since then, it’s become who I am as a basketball player.”
Garza Reminds Everyone What He’s Capable Of
Garza wrapped up his dominant performance against the Cavaliers with a game-high 22 points and 10 rebounds. He knocked down three three-pointers and tallied three blocks in his 26 minutes on the floor. Going up against veteran talent like Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, and Allen, alongside a mix of reserves, newcomers, and unproven players, Garza absolutely stood out. He didn’t take a single moment on the court for granted and clearly did everything in his power to stay off the bench. Coming to Boston fresh off a three-year stint with the Minnesota Timberwolves, where he averaged just 6.3 minutes per game, Garza truly understands the value of making the most of every opportunity he gets. As he put it, “These opportunities don’t come around often.”
Garza’s performance is more than just a preseason highlight reel. With the entire offseason spotlight on whether Queta or Robinson would claim the starting five spot, Garza issued a loud reminder of his impact the very first chance he got. He’s not taking a single moment on the court for granted, and after a game like this, it’s clear he’s battling hard for every minute. The Celtics’ frontcourt picture just got a whole lot more compelling.
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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