Portuguese center Neemias Queta starred for the Boston Celtics on Sunday, scoring a career-high 27 points and grabbing 17 rebounds in the home victory over the Philadelphia 76ers (114-98) in the NBA.
Neemias scored 16 points in the first half, a new personal record for any half, and returned strong in the final minutes. With 5:12 left in the game, he tied his previous career-high of 19 points with a free throw, then surpassed it at 2:56 remaining, reaching 21 points with a putback under the basket. He added six more points through two free throws and two field goals—including a dunk—both following offensive rebounds.
“Neemias was dominant and played the best game of his career, at least that I’ve seen. He’s improving,” said Jalen Brown, acknowledging the Portuguese center’s importance, who played his 57th game of the season and 56th as a starter.
Queta spent 27:17 minutes on the court, shooting 71.4% from the field (10/14) and 70.0% from the free-throw line (7/10). He grabbed 10 of his 17 rebounds on the offensive glass, and also contributed three blocks, two assists, and a steal.
Previously, his career-high in points was 19, achieved twice—on April 14, 2024, against the Wizards (132-122), and on November 29, 2025, versus the Wolves (115-119). His rebound record stands at 20.
Queta was Boston’s top scorer, tied with Jaylen Brown, and the leading rebounder of the game. The Sixers’ Tyrese Maxey led the match in points with 33.
The Celtics recorded their 40th win in 60 games, holding second place in the Eastern Conference behind the Detroit Pistons (45-14). Philadelphia is sixth, with 33 wins and 27 losses. Boston faces the Milwaukee Bucks again today.
In his fifth NBA season, Neemias Queta has played 167 regular-season games: 147 with the Celtics (28 in 2023/24, 62 in 2024/25, 57 in 2025/26), winning the championship in his rookie season, and 20 with the Sacramento Kings (15 in 2021/22, 5 in 2022/23).
The 26-year-old Portuguese center was drafted 39th overall by Sacramento in 2021, becoming the first—and only—Portuguese player in NBA history.
