Celtics center Neemias Queta became the first Portuguese player to start an NBA game on Monday night, according to Drew Carter of NBC Sports Boston.

It’s one of several firsts for Queta, who became the first Portuguese player to play in an NBA game in 2021 and the first Portuguese player to win an NBA championship last June.

Queta was one of six Celtics to score in double figures Monday night, posting 10 points and seven rebounds in 23 minutes in the 123-93 blowout win over the Hawks.

“He’s just grown a lot as a player and quite honestly he doesn’t know how good he can be,” Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said. “He’s got a great ceiling. So, the standard is very high. I thought he did some great things for us tonight, but when you’re as good as he can be you’ve just got to hold him to that standard every single night.”

“It’s a credit to him for just allowing us to coach him and a credit to the guys for supporting him, but you see what he’s capable of when he’s at his best,” Mazzulla added. “He could be a real asset for us this season. He works really hard. He cares. He wants to be coached … he’s starting to realize how good he can be and he’s working at it.’

Queta, who was an All-NBA G-League First team and All NBA G-League All-Defensive team selection last year with the Maine Celtics, has seen a slight uptick in minutes with Kristaps Porzingis out.

The Celtics began the game with a double-big lineup, playing Queta at the five and Al Horford at the four.

Queta slammed an alley-oop from Jrue Holiday around two minutes into the game. He was active on both ends of the floor, tying Kornet for the team lead with seven rebounds. He blocked a shot, had a steal, and went 4-for-7 from the field while committing just two fouls.

“I think he’s just a little more comfortable,” Celtics guard Derrick White said of Queta’s development before the game. “He knows where to be at. He seems to be in the right place at the right time and obviously we know offensive rebounds and him as an athlete. It’s a little different from the other bigs we have, and so it’s a nice change of pace.”

“I think Neemy is our most athletic big,” White added. “I don’t think that’s controversial. Sorry, Luke (Kornet). A little more athletic and he’s just moving well out there.”

Queta split time between Maine and Boston last year, spending 28 games with the Celtics and eight with the Maine Celtics. He has yet to appear in a G-League game this season.

With Porzingis out and the Celtics in need of front-court depth, the 25-year-old Queta will continue to have opportunities to show what he can do.

Khari A. Thompson

Sports Reporter

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Khari Thompson covers professional sports for Boston.com. Before joining the team in 2022, Khari covered college football for The Clarion Ledger in Jackson, Miss.

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