Celtics’ Sam Hauser reacts to ‘buttery’ first 3-pointer of Neemias Queta’s career

BOSTON — Boston Celtics center Neemias Queta has grown a lot since he arrived in the NBA.

The 7-footer fought for any playing time he could get with the Sacramento Kings, and he was rarely rewarded. He then had to scrap in the G League to make a name for himself, catching the attention of the Celtics, who eventually brought him in on a two-way contract in 2023.

Since then, Queta has only improved his game while in Boston. And a single shot during a 144-118 blowout win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night was evidence of how much he’s developed.

With the Celtics up big in the third quarter and the Pels showing little defensive resistance, Queta was left all alone beyond the arc. Normally, that wouldn’t be a bad idea for New Orleans. The Lisbon native had only attempted 10 shots from deep in his five years in the NBA and they were all off the mark.

However, this isn’t the same Queta who was cut by the Kings. This is a big man with big potential. So, naturally, Queta put up a 3-pointer with confidence and swished it.

Boston’s bench then erupted with cheers:

Neemias Queta for 3…. YES SIR

That's the first three-pointer made of his NBA career!pic.twitter.com/cinOUrxTb3

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) April 11, 2026

The love for Queta’s surprising shot continued in the locker room. Celtics wing Sam Hauser — who knows plenty about shooting and torched the Pelicans with eight triples — had the perfect word to describe the 3-pointer:

“Buttery, it was buttery,” he said with a smile.

With just one game remaining in the regular season, Queta has averaged career-highs in minutes, points, steals, blocks, rebounds, and assists per outing. More importantly, he’s solidified himself as the starting center for the Celtics and filled one of their biggest voids coming into the season.

“He’s done a great job all year and gotten better and better and better, and really shown why he’s a starting five-man in this league and on this team,” Hauser praised. “His name should be in the running for Most Improved Player and he’s come up big for us a lot this year.”

Photo of the night feat. Neemias Queta's first 3-pointer

( credit: Winslow Townson) pic.twitter.com/mbBKQ63QSI

— Daniel Donabedian (@danield1214) April 11, 2026

Although Queta isn’t exactly a frontrunner for MIP, he belongs in the conversation. That consideration alone speaks to how hard he’s worked for the Celtics and Hauser and company know they need him at his best heading into the playoffs.

“We’re going to need for him to continue that,” Hauser stated.

Before the postseason starts, the Celtics will end the regular season with a home game against the Orlando Magic on Sunday afternoon. The second-seeded C’s don’t need this game for playoff positioning, so expect at least a few starters, including Queta, to sit and prepare for the much bigger games ahead.

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