By HooperClass · March 15, 2026 · 8 min read · NBA
He did it again. On Saturday night, March 14, 2026, Neemias Queta put up 24 points on 11-of-13 shooting — with a jaw-dropping 22 of those points coming in the first half alone — grabbed 10 rebounds, dished 3 assists and added 2 blocks as the Boston Celtics dismantled the Washington Wizards 111-100 at TD Garden. The win snapped a two-game losing streak and extended Washington’s misery to 11 consecutive losses.
Just two weeks earlier, he set his career-high with 27 points and 17 rebounds against the Philadelphia 76ers. Now he’s back at it — and the most impressive part? He didn’t even try to chase the record.
The First Half Was Unstoppable
From the opening tip, the Celtics kept feeding Queta — and Washington had no answers. He scored 13 points in the first quarter alone, leading Boston to a nine-point advantage. After the Wizards briefly tied it at 27-26, Queta shifted into another gear in the second quarter.
The Celtics went on a 38-14 run to close out the half — with Queta at the center of everything, finishing the first 24 minutes with 22 points on 10-of-12 shooting and 6 rebounds. It was one of the most dominant first halves by a Celtic center in recent memory.
The Second Half: Putting the Team First
With his career-high within reach, Queta made a decision that says everything about who he is. As the Wizards adjusted their coverages, he shifted back to setting screens, freeing up teammates, and trusting the system. He finished with 24 points — impressive by any standard — but the story was his selflessness.
2025-26 Season: The Numbers Tell the Story
| Date / Opponent | Stat Line | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 14, 2026 vs WAS | 24 PTS / 10 REB / 3 AST / 2 BLK | 22 pts in first half. 11-of-13 FG. Celtics win 111-100. |
| Mar 2, 2026 vs PHI | 27 PTS / 17 REB / 3 BLK | Career-high. 10 offensive rebounds. Celtics win 114-98. |
| Nov 29, 2025 vs MIN | 19 PTS / 18 REB / 2 BLK | First Celtic since Robert Parish (1989) to reach those marks. |
From Vale da Amoreira to the NBA
Neemias Esdras Barbosa Queta was born on July 13, 1999, in Lisbon, Portugal — raised in Vale da Amoreira, in the municipality of Moita. He started playing basketball at age 10, following his older sister to a tryout for Barreirense. Not exactly the typical origin story for an NBA starter.
Portugal is not a basketball country. There was no pipeline, no blueprint, no guarantee. Yet Queta developed into a 7-foot, 250-pound center with mobility, touch, and an elite feel for the game — eventually earning a second-round selection (39th pick) in the 2021 NBA Draft. He made history the moment his name was called: the first Portuguese player ever drafted by an NBA team.
What Makes Queta Different
- ▸Elite finishing — 63.2% field goal percentage, 6th best in the NBA this season.
- ▸Offensive rebounding instinct — relentless motor, always in the right position.
- ▸Mobility and rim protection — covers ground like a center a full inch shorter.
- ▸Selflessness — puts the team first, every single night. His coach can’t stop praising him for it.
Bottom Line
Neemias Queta is not a hidden gem anymore — the secret is out. Two monster performances in two weeks. A team-first mentality that his coach can’t stop praising. A field goal percentage that puts him in the top 10 in the entire NBA. And a development curve that keeps pointing upward.
The kid from Lisbon who was never supposed to make it here? He’s one of the most important players on the defending NBA champions. He made it. And he’s just getting started. 🏀