Derrick White explains how Celtics will deal with potential Neemias Queta absence

BOSTON — There was once debate surrounding who the Celtics would start at the five spot, but center Neemias Queta has put an end to that conversation with his impressive play early in the 2025-26 season. However, the C's might have to revisit that question following the 26-year-old's recent injury.

In the first quarter of a Sunday night win over the Orlando Magic, Queta was forced to leave the game with a left ankle sprain. He never returned and following practice on Tuesday afternoon, Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla wouldn't say anything definitive about his starting center's health.

When asked about how the Celtics would make up for Queta's potential absence, veteran guard Derrick White divulged a little more information:

"We don’t really have a guy that can replace what Neemy does for us," he admitted. "So, it’s got to be just a group effort. Obviously, (Xavier Tillman), Luka (Garza), Chris (Boucher), they're going to get a bigger chance, and we're going to need a lot from them. But it's also on us."

It's no secret that the 9-8 Celtics have significantly benefited from Queta's leap. Just take a peek at Boston's net rating when he's on the court (and when he's not):

The Portugal native is virtually averaging career-highs across the board with 9.3 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per outing. He's been the defensive anchor for the C's through 17 games, and White knows it.

"We don't have Neemy back there to take out some of the problems or the mistakes we make out on the perimeter," he said. "So, it's going to be a team effort, rebounding, everything. So, hopefully he comes back as quickly as possible, but we all got to step up."

Based on White's comments, it doesn't sound like Queta will suit up for the Celtics next contest with the red-hot Detroit Pistons on Wednesday afternoon. If that is the case, the C's will have their hands full with the Eastern Conference-leading Pistons, who've won a whopping 13 games in a row behind impressive performances from star guard Cade Cunningham and rising star Jalen Duren.

Slowing down the 6-foot-10 Duren will be a challenge without Queta. That difficult task will likely fall on the shoulders of the backup big men White mentioned: Luka Garza, Xavier Tillman Sr., and Chris Boucher.

As for White, he'll help out with some defensive responsibilities and simply try to snap out of a cold streak.

"I just have got to play better," he stated. "All aspects, I've got to be better."

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This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: Derrick White knows replicating Neemias Queta's production will be a team effort