Knicks Focus on Health, Celtics Adjust After Major Moves, Queta Seeks Bigger Role, Bona Shines for Turkey
knicks-health-celtics-changes-queta-bona
New York, NY — The New York Knicks open the 2025-26 season widely projected to return to the Eastern Conference Finals, but the club’s outlook hinges on keeping key players on the floor. Forward OG Anunoby and center Karl-Anthony Towns both carry recent injury histories, and nearly the entire roster battled health problems during the 2024 postseason. To guard against more setbacks, New York added several veteran reserves over the summer.
Boston Managing Lowered Expectations
In a survey conducted by NBC Sports Boston’s Chris Forsberg, league observers debated whether the Celtics can outperform tempered forecasts following a turbulent offseason. Boston traded former starters Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porziņģis, watched backup center Luke Kornet depart in free agency, and is expected to move on from veteran Al Horford. The franchise is also awaiting All-NBA forward Jayson Tatum’s return from an Achilles tear, a comeback that may not occur until the 2026-27 season.
Queta Eyes Breakout Year
Center Neemias Queta, Boston’s fourth-string pivot last season, will battle recent signees Luka Garza and Chris Boucher for rotation minutes. The 7-footer underwent knee surgery earlier in the offseason and believes the time off set him up for a career leap. “I got rested enough this offseason and I think that I put myself in the best position to have a breakout season,” Queta said. “I have the tools to compete with the best.”
Bona Represents Turkey at EuroBasket
Philadelphia 76ers second-year big man Adem Bona is suiting up for Turkey at this year’s EuroBasket tournament, embracing the country he moved to from Nigeria at age 13. “I only played for a year before I left home to move to Turkey,” Bona recalled. “My first basketball shoes were given to me by a friend. Basketball was just something I really liked because of the pace and the tempo. So it kind of drove me to the game when I started playing for the first time. It was really amazing.”
Source: HoopsRumors
