Which Celtics Star Will Benefit Most From Joel Embiid's Absence For 76ers?
TL;DR
Joel Embiid will miss Game 1 of the playoffs due to recovery from an appendectomy, benefiting the Boston Celtics. Neemias Queta previously excelled against the 76ers in Embiid's absence, scoring 27 points and grabbing 17 rebounds.
Key points
- Joel Embiid will miss Game 1 due to an appendectomy.
- Celtics previously defeated 76ers 114-98 without Embiid.
- Neemias Queta scored 27 points and grabbed 17 rebounds in the last matchup.
Mentioned in this story
Which Celtics Star Will Benefit Most From Joel Embiid's Absence For 76ers? originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Boston Celtics caught a lucky break in their first-round playoff matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers. Former NBA MVP Joel Embiid is still recovering from his emergency appendectomy and will miss Game 1 of the series, and potentially additional time beyond that.
That bodes well for the Celtics, who stomped the 76ers 114-98 the last time they met on March 1 at TD Garden.
Embiid missed that game as well, and Boston center Neemias Queta took full advantage. Queta feasted on Philadelphia's depleted frontcourt with a career-high 27 points. He also grabbed 17 rebounds, including a personal-best 10 boards on the offensive glass.
All of those offensive rebounds led to 13 second-chance points for the 26-year-old center, who appears poised to dominate in his first career playoff start.
The Sixers ranked in the bottom seven in the NBA in both second-chance opportunities and second-chance points allowed per game during the regular season. With Queta's size, physicality and aggressiveness, they're going to have a hard time keeping him off the glass.
If Queta does his thing and stays in the general vicinity of the basket, he could be primed for another monster game in the series opener, and potentially more if Embiid remains out.
More NBA: Will Joel Embiid Play in 2026 NBA Playoffs? Latest Injury Updates for Celtics vs. 76ers Series
Q&A
How long will Joel Embiid be out for the 76ers?
Joel Embiid is expected to miss Game 1 and potentially additional games as he recovers from his emergency appendectomy.
What impact does Joel Embiid's absence have on the Celtics?
Embiid's absence allows Celtics players like Neemias Queta to exploit the 76ers' weakened frontcourt, as seen in their previous matchup.
What were Neemias Queta's stats in the last game against the 76ers?
In the last game against the 76ers, Neemias Queta scored a career-high 27 points and recorded 17 rebounds.
