NBA: Celtics lean on Queta’s career night to beat Sixers (114-98)

Neemias Queta — a night to remember at TD Garden

Some nights a role player becomes the hero.
Sunday at the TD Garden, Neemias Queta wore the cape.

Career high: 27 points.
Add 17 rebounds, 3 blocks.

Neemias Queta Legacy Game 👏@nemi1599 scored a career-high in points as tonight’s @Gatorade Player of the Game pic.twitter.com/WMgGkcDuVI

— Boston Celtics (@celtics) March 2, 2026

And most importantly, a decisive late run sealed the win for the Boston Celtics against the Philadelphia 76ers (114-98).

Slow start, ruthless response

Boston got off to a poor start.
Philadelphia owned the first quarter, leading by 10 while the Celtics shot just 30% (8/26).

But the wake-up was brutal.

A 36-22 second quarter flipped the script. Boston went into the break up 62-50. From there they never looked back.

Queta was monstrous in the first half:
16 points, 10 rebounds in under 14 minutes. Total impact.

Brown and White: top lieutenants

Jaylen Brown added 27 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists. A full performance, flirting with a triple-double.

Derrick White finished with 21 points and 8 assists, invaluable in managing the tempo and guarding the perimeter.

Boston becomes the fourth team in the league to reach 40 wins and picks up its sixth win in seven games.

The killer moment: Queta shuts the door

Philadelphia didn’t fold.

Down 16 in the second half, the Sixers clawed back to 103-97 with just over four minutes left. Doubt crept in.

Then Queta took over.

Dominated at both ends 💪

So many plays to choose from but here’s our pick for tonight’s @JetBlue Play of the Game pic.twitter.com/2XBGNvQSpf

— Boston Celtics (@celtics) March 2, 2026

Eight straight points.
An offensive board. Finish at the rim.

Final score: 111-98. Game over.

His 11th double-double of the season proves he’s far more than a mere rotation piece.

Maxey fought, but Philadelphia buckled

Tyrese Maxey carried the Sixers with 33 points and 6 assists.
VJ Edgecombe added 23 points.

But Philadelphia’s three-game winning streak ends. The Sixers lacked defensive consistency and never contained Queta’s inside impact.

Boston building momentum

Most impressive thing?

Boston wins different ways.

One night it’s outside shooting.
Another night, the bench.
This time, interior dominance.

In a crowded Eastern Conference, the Celtics sent a clear message: roster depth can make the difference.

And when a guy like Queta explodes at the right moment, it can flip a season.

Next up: Milwaukee.
A real test to confirm this run isn’t a fluke.

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