Neemias Queta just torched Spain in a thrilling 95-89 FIBA World Cup Qualifying victory for Portugal, making every single one of those $56 million reasons the Celtics signed him to that four-year extension this summer look unbelievably good. This wasn’t just a win; it was Queta making a massive statement.
Queta’s Monster Night and Impressive Celtics Rise
The 27-year-old center, who started his pro journey with Benfica in the Portuguese Basketball League, absolutely dominated. He racked up 16 points on a solid 5-of-10 shooting, pulled down nine huge rebounds, five of them offensive, and added two steals in just over 24 minutes on the court. He repeatedly outmatched Spain’s bigs with pure speed and strength, man. It was a clinic.
His most electrifying moment came in the fourth quarter. Queta straight up pump-faked Spain’s Aday Mara from three, then spun right past him for a thunderous, right-handed dunk that shattered a 71-71 tie. That wasn’t just a highlight; it kicked off a critical 7-0 run for Portugal, forcing Spain to burn a timeout with just 7:55 left in the game. Total momentum swing.
Remember, Queta really broke out last season, stepping into the starting center role after the Celtics moved on from Kristaps Porziņģis, Al Horford, and Luke Kornet. He put up career highs across the board, averaging 10.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks over 75 starts. Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla even made a point to visit Queta in his hometown of Lisbon this summer. That’s a huge commitment, especially for a guy who was waived by the Sacramento Kings only three years ago, leaving his NBA future hanging in the balance.
The Center Battle Gets Even Wilder
But hold up, because this battle gets even wilder for Boston. Queta’s Celtics teammate, Hugo González, was on the other side of the court, lacing up for Spain. While González had a tougher night offensively, scoring only three points and knocking down just one of his four three-point attempts in over 23 minutes, he still proved why he’s so impactful.
In classic Hugo fashion, he found other ways to get it done. There was a critical fourth-quarter lob deflection that stopped Portugal from extending their lead to 84-76 with less than six minutes left. González stayed super composed on that play, rising for a second consecutive contest after Portugal grabbed an offensive rebound, keeping the deficit at a manageable six points. Queta’s dominance was ultimately too much for Spain to bridge, but González’s defensive smarts were on full display.
With Boston’s regular-season opener on October 20th still more than seven weeks out, this game just amplified the stakes for the Celtics’ center position. Queta delivered a performance that leaves a seriously beneficial impression, showcasing exactly why he earned that big extension. Both these guys want to be the guy, and based on this showdown, the internal competition is going to be absolutely electric. Get ready, because it’s going to be a wild ride watching this play out.
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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