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Celtics news: Neemias Queta gets encouraging injury update after exiting FIBA game
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Celtics news: Neemias Queta gets encouraging injury update after exiting FIBA game appeared first on ClutchPoints . Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
Having a FIBA World Cup qualifying window right in the middle of the offseason has allowed a few NBA players to represent their country as they compete for a spot in Qatar. Boston Celtics big man Neemias Queta suited up for Portugal for this qualifying window, and he played a huge role in their 95-89 upset victory over Spain in the first game of this two-game window, recording 16 points and nine rebounds.
However, Portugal lost Queta to injury against Spain, which then limited him to just around 25 minutes of play. It was a question mark as to whether or not the Celtics big man would be healthy enough to play on Monday against Georgia, but head coach Mario Gomes said anyway that his early exit was merely “precautionary” as per RealGM.
This was indeed the case, as Queta did indeed play in Portugal’s Monday contest against Georgia. Despite suffering a 98-90 loss, the Celtics center was at his best — tallying 20 points and 11 rebounds to go along with four blocks. He did outplay Orlando Magic big man Goga Bitadze, who had just 11 points and five boards while being in foul trouble all night long.
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But Sandro Mamukelashvili, one of the new signings for the Los Angeles Lakers, put up 22-6-4 and former NBA player Tornike Shengelia scored a game-high 26 points to lead Georgia to victory.
The top three teams from each group will qualify for the 2027 FIBA World Cup, and Queta’s Portugal is still in the mix with two windows remaining. They currently have a 4-4 record, putting them in fourth place in the group behind Ukraine, Spain, and Georgia.
The Celtics big man will not be able to suit up for Portugal for the next qualifying windows, which would be on November 2026 and March 2027. Queta will be hoping that they manage to hold it down despite his absence.
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