Celtics Uncover Intriguing New Weapon That Could Change Joe Mazzulla's Rotation image
Celtics Uncover Intriguing New Weapon That Could Change Joe Mazzulla's Rotation image
The Boston Celtics entered training camp with plenty of questions about how their dramatically different roster would fit together. Three preseason victories later, Joe Mazzulla is beginning to discover some intriguing possibilities.
One of the most interesting developments came during Wednesday's 114-93 victory over the Charlotte Hornets, when Mazzulla experimented with playing Neemias Queta and Mitchell Robinson together. The combination was unusual for a Celtics team that has frequently emphasized spacing and perimeter shooting. Queta and Robinson are both traditional interior players whose strengths include rebounding, screening and finishing around the basket.
Putting them on the floor simultaneously creates obvious questions about offensive spacing. However, the early results gave Mazzulla a reason to consider using the pairing again.
According to CelticsBlog's analysis of the experiment, Boston outscored Charlotte 19-8 during a stretch of fewer than seven minutes with both big men on the court.
It was only a preseason sample, but it offered a glimpse of a different identity the Celtics might be able to use when circumstances demand it.
Boston's Frontcourt Suddenly Offers Something Different
Robinson joined Boston during an offseason that also included the blockbuster trade sending Jaylen Brown to Philadelphia in exchange for Paul George and draft compensation.
Mitchell Robinson 12 PTS (5-5 FG, 2-2 FT), 7 REB, 1 AST, 3 BLK, 0 TO, +11 in 17 minutes vs. Hornets How did every team let the Celtics get him? https://t.co/mzAyf6j2gp
— Role Player Performances (@BenchHighlights) October 15, 2026
His arrival immediately strengthened the Celtics' interior depth. Robinson provides offensive rebounding, physical screens and rim protection, while Queta is coming off a breakout season in which he averaged 10.2 points and 8.4 rebounds. The assumption entering training camp was that the two centers would primarily compete for minutes at the same position. Mazzulla's experiment suggests the coaching staff is willing to consider a different approach.
Playing them together could give Boston an advantage against opponents that struggle with size or defensive rebounding. Both players are capable of creating second-chance opportunities and occupying defenders around the basket. There are limitations, of course. Neither player is an established perimeter shooting threat, meaning opponents could potentially crowd the paint and make life more difficult for Jayson Tatum and Boston's guards.
That is why the combination should be viewed as a situational option rather than an obvious permanent lineup change.
Mazzulla Has More Flexibility Than Expected
Wednesday's victory provided other encouraging signs.
Tatum scored 19 points, while Derrick White continued to make an impact at both ends of the floor. Robinson finished with 12 points and seven rebounds, and Payton Pritchard contributed 11 assists without committing a turnover. The Celtics also forced Charlotte into 30 turnovers, an indication of how disruptive their defense can become when players are active and communicating.
Boston's versatility is particularly interesting because the roster no longer resembles the group that won the 2024 NBA championship. George brings a different offensive style than Brown, while Robinson gives the Celtics another imposing presence near the basket. The challenge for Mazzulla is determining which combinations work best against different opponents.
The Celtics conclude their preseason Friday against Philadelphia before opening the regular season Tuesday against Detroit. Those games will provide additional opportunities to evaluate the rotation, although preseason performances should not be treated as definitive evidence of regular-season success.
Still, the Queta-Robinson pairing deserves attention.
Boston does not need to abandon its perimeter-oriented identity to benefit from having two powerful interior players available. The ability to change styles during a game could become particularly useful against physical opponents. The Celtics entered the preseason searching for answers. They may have discovered an unexpected option that gives Mazzulla considerably more flexibility.
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