Portugal’s Nehemias Queta scored nine points Monday in his debut for the Boston Celtics, who lost 114-106 to the New York Knicks in a prep game between the two North American Basketball League (NBA) teams.
The Portuguese center, who signed with the Celtics this season, played 13.35 minutes and scored nine points (three of five from the field), adding four rebounds (all offensive) and one tackle.
In a game in which the Celtics played without their big stars, Boston’s best players were Payton Pritchard (21 points and five assists) and Dalano Banton (20 points).
For the Knicks, who were missing only Josh Hart, Immanuel Quickley was the leading scorer with 21 points.
The Celtics play again at home on Wednesday against the Philadelphia 76ers.
After two seasons with the Sacramento Kings, Nehemias Queta was released, resulting in him signing a two-way contract with the Boston Celtics that allows him to play for the main and minor teams of the Maine Celtics, who compete in the G League.
The 24-year-old center forward was selected 39th overall by the Sacramento Kings in the 2021 NBA Draft, becoming the first Portuguese player to participate in the tournament.
In his first two seasons in the NBA, Nehemias Queta played 20 games for Sacramento. This stance was used most often by the Stockton Kings, for whom he played 43 games last season, averaging 17.7 points, 8.7 rebounds and 1.9 tackles per game.
His strong performances in the G League earned the Portuguese player second place in the regular season Most Valuable Player (MVP) voting, behind first baseman Carlik Jones.