Boston’s interior defense falters as Atlanta takes control in decisive third quarter.
If Monday night was supposed to be another test of the Celtics’ (50-25) depth, it quickly turned into something else:
A reminder of how thin the margin becomes when key pieces start to drop out.
And it started before tip-off, when Neemias Queta was ruled out with a right thumb sprain.
On its own, the absence might not have raised alarms a few months ago.
But this isn’t the same Queta.
The 24-year-old has grown into a legitimate rotation anchor this season - a rim-running, shot-altering presence who’s quietly stabilized Boston’s frontcourt.
With Nikola Vucevic already sidelined and Jayson Tatum sitting out for injury management, the Celtics walked into Atlanta (43-33) without three key contributors.
That reality showed up as the game unfolded.
Boston hung around early, piecing together enough offense behind Jaylen Brown and a strong first half from Luka Garza, who stepped into a larger role with Queta unavailable.
Garza provided efficient scoring and physicality on the glass, helping the Celtics weather a back-and-forth first half that featured constant lead changes.
But the absence of Queta’s interior presence lingered.
As the game tilted in the third quarter, Atlanta began to attack the paint with increasing confidence. The Hawks poured in 36 points in the frame, repeatedly getting downhill and finishing at the rim - an area where Queta’s rim protection and drop coverage have become essential for Boston.
Without him, the Celtics struggled to generate stops, and what had been a tight game quickly slipped into a double-digit deficit.
Boston made a late push, trimming a 21-point gap to single digits, but the damage had already been done in a 112-102 loss.
Which brings the focus back to Queta.
The Celtics have the luxury of caution this time of year, especially with the playoffs approaching and their place near the top of the Eastern Conference relatively secure.
But Queta’s emergence has changed the equation.
He’s no longer just depth. He’s part of the foundation.
And if Monday was any indication, even a short absence raises a real question:
Just how important has Neemias Queta become to everything Boston does?
Jan 17, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Boston Celtics center Neemias Queta (88) celebrates with fans after a victory over the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena. (Brett Davis/Imagn Images)JOIN THE CONVERSATION:
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Tom Carroll is a contributor for Roundtable, with boots-on-the-ground coverage of all things Boston sports. He's a senior digital content producer for WEEI.com, and a native of Lincoln, RI.