Without Kristaps Porzingis, the biggest player from the championship squad from the previous season, the Celtics will have to manage their center rotation. After suffering a torn retinaculum and a dislocated posterior tibialis tendon during Boston’s 105-98 victory in Game 2 of the NBA Finals, the former All-Star had surgery this summer.
There is a big obstacle before the Boston Celtics begin their impending title defense. Yes, the team will play the New York Knicks on opening night on October 22. However, the hosts will need to move past the feelings that came with winning their championship rings. When the last buzzer sounds, there will still be a barrier in their path.
It is anticipated that he will be back on the field in five to six months. He will probably participate in the Celtics’ title defense and pursuit of Banner 19 in late December, as they are choosing to err on the side of caution. He might even need to wait until January to make his 2024–25 season debut.
That means they’ll be relying more on Al Horford than they were in the playoffs, but they’ll also continue to be careful with how many minutes the 38-year-old plays.
Luke Kornet, who has been a key member of Boston’s center rotation for the most of the previous two regular seasons, will continue to man the front line. Throughout the season, it’s anticipated that Xavier Tillman Sr. and the young center Neemias Queta, 25, would spend a lot of time at the five position.
Both Tillman and Kornet performed admirably during the playoffs; the former even helped the Celtics win Game 3 against the Dallas Mavericks to grab a 3-0 lead in the NBA Finals. When Boston switches to a double-big lineup and Horford sits out, they will play the majority of the minutes.
However, Queta made the most of his playing time every time out last season, offering energy, rim protection, and a talent for prolonging possessions. In addition, he is a proficient passer, a good screener, and has good touch around the basket. Additionally, he performed exceptionally well when working with Horford in double-big lineups the previous season, indicating that he might occasionally partner with Tillman this season.
Because of Porzingis’s absence and the necessity to pace Horford, Queta will have a chance to show off his skills and further explore his exciting potential, which might eventually make him a regular in the rotation and possibly even a starting center.
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