Neemias

Queta

Queta was out of the Celtics rotation for most of last season, averaging 11.9 minutes per game in 28 appearances. However, Kristaps Porzingis undergoing leg surgery will open up opportunities for players such as Queta and Luke Kornet, as KP is expected to miss 5-6 months. Queta isn’t a draftable player in fantasy leagues, but he may have streaming value throughout the season.

The Celtics have lost two in a row, and with only two games left in the season, there’s no reason to keep playing the starters. Boston wrapped up the Eastern Conference weeks ago, so it makes sense to give the first unit a breather ahead of an anticipated deep playoff run. Guys like Payton Pritchard, Sam Hauser and Neemias Queta could be big winners from a fantasy standpoint to close out the 2023-24 regular season.

Queta has been playing on a two-way deal for Boston, but now he will fill their 15th roster spot. Even with the team resting some of their core pieces, Queta hasn’t played more than 10 minutes in a game since before the All-Star break. However, with Boston locked in as the top team in the East, he may see some minutes down the stretch.

Queta’s availability will not impact fantasy basketball, as Luke Kornet and Xavier Tillman are ahead of him in the pecking order. Even if Kristaps Porzingis does not play, there are too many players ahead of Queta for him to benefit.

Tatum’s status will significantly impact the Celtics rotation and fantasy basketball. The good news is that he’s considered probable, so the MVP candidate should be on the floor. As for Queta, his status won’t impact fantasy basketball, especially with Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford being healthy.

Boston led by 36 at the half, presenting the team with an excellent opportunity to get Porzingis additional rest. The left ankle issue has lingered for a while; hence KP having it wrapped up while on the bench. Porzingis’ early exit freed up additional minutes for Luke Kornet (8/8/3/1/3 in 19 minutes) and Neemias Queta (8/4/0/1 in 13 minutes), but neither will be worth streaming after the All-Star break.

Kornet will miss a second straight game, and with Al Horford sidelined, Neemias Queta will be the backup center. However, Kristaps Porzingis will start and play most of the center minutes.

No surprises here, as Horford will miss the second half of a back-to-back set as he’s done throughout the season. Porzingis is in danger of missing his third straight, while Kornet is likely to miss his second in a row. With so many injuries in the frontcourt rotation, Neemias Queta is likely to slide into the starting five. He makes an interesting streaming option against one of the NBA’s most generous frontcourt defenses.

After exiting Saturday’s loss to the Clippers during the second half, Kornet appears unlikely to play on Monday. The impact of his absence will depend on what happens with Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford, who are listed as questionable. Neemias Queta could move into the rotation on Monday, but he’s a risky streaming option on a 12-game night.

KP had a monster Thursday performance with 35 points, but it looks like he’ll get the night off for the second game of Boston’s back-to-back set. Horford has rested for at least one game of Boston’s back-to-backs all season, so his absence shouldn’t come as a surprise. Neemias Queta and Luke Kornet should play prominent roles in Boston’s frontcourt tonight, especially with all of Jayson Tatum, Jrue Holiday and Jaylen Brown questionable.