Neemias Queta becomes the first Portuguese player to start an NBA game

According to NBC Sports Boston's Drew Carter, Celtics center Neemias Queta became the first Portuguese player to start an NBA game on Monday night.

It is one of several firsts for Queta, who became the first Portuguese player to play in an NBA game in 2021 and the first Portuguese player to win an NBA championship last June.

Queta was one of six Celtics to score in double figures on Monday night, posting 10 points and seven rebounds in 23 minutes in a 123-93 win over the Hawks.

“He’s just grown a lot as a player and he honestly doesn’t know how good he can be,” Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said. “He has a great ceiling. So the standard is very high. I thought he did some great things for us tonight, but when you're as good as he can be, you have to keep him at that level every night.”

“It's a credit to him for allowing us to train him and a credit to the guys who supported him, but you see what he's capable of when he's at his best,” Mazzulla added. “He could be a real asset for us this season. He works really hard. He cares. “He wants to be coached…he's starting to realize how good he can be and he's working on it.”

Queta, who was an All-NBA G-League First Team and All NBA G-League All-Defensive Team selection last year with the Maine Celtics, saw a slight uptick in minutes following Kristaps Porzingis' loss.

The Celtics began the game with a double-big lineup, playing Queta at the five and Al Horford at the four.

About two minutes into the game, Queta hit an alley-oop from Jrue Holiday. He was active on both ends of the court and had Kornet leading the team with seven rebounds. He blocked a shot, had a steal and went 4 of 7 from the field while committing just two fouls.

“I think he's just getting a little more comfortable,” Celtics guard Derrick White said before the game about Queta's development. “He knows where he needs to be. He seems to be in the right place at the right time and obviously we know offensive rebounds and him as an athlete. It’s a little different to the other big companies we have, so it’s a nice change.”

“I think Neemy is our most athletic big,” White added. “I don’t think it’s controversial. Sorry, Luke (Cornet). A little more athletic and he’s just progressing well out there.”

Queta shuttled between Maine and Boston last year, spending 28 games with the Celtics and eight with the Maine Celtics. He has never appeared in a G League game this season.

With Porzingis out and the Celtics needing more depth upfront, the 25-year-old Queta will continue to have opportunities to show what he can do.

Khari A. Thompson

Sports reporter

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Khari Thompson covers professional sports for Boston.com. Before joining the team in 2022, Khari covered college football for The Clarion Ledger in Jackson, Miss.

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