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EspañolBOSTON — Around the start of the season — when the Boston Celtics were fighting to get to .500 — head coach Joe Mazzulla pointed out the high care factor of his players. Flash forward to March, and not only are the Celtics well above an average record, they're in second place in the Eastern Conference and 40-20 overall after beating the rival Philadelphia 76ers 114-98 on Sunday night.
The high care factor Mazzulla mentioned has arguably been the main reason for the Green Team's success. The Celtics crash the glass constantly, hustle for loose balls, and rarely have anybody sit for load management reasons. That explains how they dominated the rebounding battle against the 76ers (59-37) and why second-year Celtic Baylor Scheierman played through a thumb fracture during the home win.
Joe Mazzulla on what he’s learned about his team 13 games in:
— Daniel Donabedian (@danield1214) November 13, 2025
“We care. There’s a high ‘care factor’ ... I think we have a humility to know we're not playing the way we want to, but we also know we're playing hard, and we can get so much better.” pic.twitter.com/P0mZENGJjr
However, center Neemias Queta clarified that the care factor the Celtics compete with doesn't just stem from the players. It comes from the sidelines as well.
"They really have a care factor for you as a person," Queta said in the locker room of the Celtics coaching staff. "Their ability to go out there every day and demand a bunch out of you and still be able to go out there and have a relationship with you outside of basketball and just try to have your best interests, too — I think that goes beyond basketball and X's and O's stuff."
As for what actually occurred on the court, the second-round pick turned starter notched a career-high 27 points (on 71% shooting) to go along with a game-high 17 rebounds and electrified the TD Garden crowd from tipoff to final buzzer. Queta even heard a smattering of MVP chants while at the free throw line in the second half.
Following the best game of his NBA career, Queta credited the coaching staff for his growth, emphasizing how integral they've been to him and his teammates.
"I think it's just the expectations that they have of you," Queta replied when asked what allows the Celtics to develop players so well. "When they go out there and really care for you, you really want to — it makes your job so much easier out there. Because you know they got your back."
Joe Mazzulla on Neemias Queta thriving in his role:
— Daniel Donabedian (@danield1214) March 2, 2026
“He's had great ownership and responsibility to what it calls for to be a starting center for the Celtics.” pic.twitter.com/1OETS4113h
In 27 minutes, Queta nabbed 10 offensive boards. The Sixers grabbed 10 offensive rebounds altogether and were unable to keep the Portuguese big man in check on the other end of the floor. But, despite his stellar showing, Mazzulla was still coaching Queta and asking him to improve.
In fact, Mazzulla relayed to the media the exact number of times Queta blocked a ball into the stands instead of grabbing it in the last couple of weeks. And instead of viewing it as a pesky nitpick, Queta appreciated the critique.
"It’s easy when you have a night like this to settle down," he said. "But when Joe keeps coming at you like that, you’re only going to get better.”
This relentless style of coaching has certainly worked then, as Queta has thrived since becoming a Celtic in 2023. The 7-footer is averaging career-highs almost across the board this season and has helped the C's replace the talented centers they lost in free agency and on the trade market.
Just because he's flourishing doesn't mean Mazzulla will let up on him, though.
"He has a responsibility now to continue to get better, regardless of the process," Mazzulla stated in his postgame press conference. "In less than 24 hours, we have to do it again, and then on."
Neemias Queta on Joe Mazzulla’s relentless coaching, and how him not letting up shows he cares:
— Daniel Donabedian (@danield1214) March 2, 2026
“It’s easy when you have a night like this to settle down. But Joe keeps coming at you like that…you’re going to get better.” pic.twitter.com/tOPzF3b1sS
It shouldn't be difficult for Queta to remain motivated. He's a key part of an overachieving Celtics squad and Mazzulla has always instilled him with confidence, from his first year as a backup to this offseason, when the fourth-year head coach called him and said he'd have a significant role during the upcoming campaign.
"I feel like he was depositing his trust in me," Queta described of that conversation. "Just having my back through it all...Just trying to get me as confident as I could (be) just to get out here and help us win."
Replicating Sunday night's performance should be difficult for Queta, especially since he has less than 24 hours to do so because the C's face the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum on Monday night.
Yet, he can always recreate the incredible level of effort he provided, and that should be enough for the Celtics.
"He cares about winning, he cares about getting better, just got to keep it going," Mazzulla said.
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This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: Neemias Queta knows the Celtics have a high care factor on the court and sidelines