The Boston Celtics secured a 107-103 victory over the New York Knicks on Friday night, with a significant contribution from their frontcourt players, including centers Neemias Queta, Mitchell Robinson, and third-string big man Luka Garza. Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla emphasized the importance of the trio’s roles in the win during his postgame press conference.

Early in the game, both Queta and Robinson picked up two fouls apiece, allowing the Knicks to take an early lead. However, Garza made an immediate impact after entering the game, closing the first quarter with a 3-pointer and drawing an offensive foul. He continued his momentum into the second quarter by stealing the ball, finishing with a putback layup, and hitting another three-point shot. This sequence helped transform a 2-point deficit into a 31-27 lead for Boston before Garza left the game after approximately three and a half minutes of play.

Mazzulla noted that the Celtics frequently rotate through multiple lineups, and the combination featuring these centers was particularly effective. He praised all three players for meeting the team's high standards on both ends of the court. “The [centers] are an extremely important position for us,” Mazzulla said. “They take pride in that and I thought they did a great job responding.”

Queta made a strong impact off the bench by contributing 15 points, six rebounds, and three blocks in 22 minutes. One of his most notable plays came late in the third quarter when Jayson Tatum, drawing significant defensive attention from the Knicks, passed the ball to Queta in the left corner. Despite struggling with his three-point shooting during the preseason, Queta confidently converted the shot, extending the Celtics’ lead to seven points. Tatum expressed excitement over the shot, highlighting how Queta’s confidence could encourage more attempts in future games.

Robinson, coming off a subpar performance in Boston’s season opener against the Detroit Pistons, sought redemption against his former team. After overcoming early foul trouble, he delivered a standout sequence early in the fourth quarter, blocking a layup attempt by Karl-Anthony Towns and following with a powerful one-handed alley-oop dunk. Robinson acknowledged his improvement while noting there is still room to grow, describing the game as a step forward for the Celtics’ frontcourt.

All three centers bring distinct skills to the team, and Robinson expressed optimism about their development throughout the season. “They’re building blocks,” he said, reflecting on the team’s struggles in the opening game and their increased energy against the Knicks. The Celtics will look to build on this frontcourt performance as they continue their campaign.