Celtics Call Up Neemias Queta Replacement With Elite Defensive Potential

The Boston Celtics will be without one of their best players for Wednesday night’s NBA Cup game against the Detroit Pistons, as center Neemias Kweta has been ruled out with a sprained left ankle.

Replacing Quetta will not be easy, especially defensively. He has made a massive impact on the Celtics this season, leading the team in rebounding and blocks per game, while single-handedly bolstering their defense.

Boston called up Cueta’s replacement on Tuesday, activating rookie Amari Williams from the Maine Celtics in the G League.

Williams, 23, is on a two-way contract with the Celtics. He was drafted in the second round of this year’s NBA draft by the Orlando Magic before being traded to Boston in late June.

He continues to dominate the G League, averaging a double-double while making nearly two-thirds of his field goal attempts.

Williams has already played in two games for the Celtics, most recently on November 1 against the Houston Rockets. He has only seen seven minutes of court time so far, but with Quetta sidelined he is set for an expanded role on Wednesday.

While Williams is still unproven in the NBA, he has exciting potential according to his former college coach, Kentucky’s Mark Pope.

Pope said of Bobby Krivitsky, “He was an elite guy. He saved us.” forbes“I cannot overstate the importance of his impact on our season,”

Williams will get a chance to prove himself on Wednesday in a tough home matchup against the Pistons, who lead the Eastern Conference with a 15-2 record.