Sixers Head Coach Makes Shock Admission Over Celtics' Neemias Queta — and more

Sixers Head Coach Makes Shock Admission Over Celtics' Neemias Queta originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Neemias Queta was the best player on the floor as the Boston Celtics defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 114-98 on Sunday, March 1. The rim-running big man ended the night with 27 points, 17 rebounds, 2 assists and 3 blocks. Queta consistently found ways to score against the Sixers, be it put-back buckets, driving the lane or attacking the seams as a cutter.

During his postgame news conference, Sixers’ head coach Nick Nurse gave an honest assessment of Queta’s performance, admitting that his athleticism gave him an edge over Philadelphia’s front court.

“He just seemed a little too quick and athletic for us tonight, too big or something,” Nurse said. “He just seemed like every time we'd make a miss, he seemed to be down there reaching up above all the other hands and pulling it down and keeping it alive. He was really hard to handle tonight for sure.”

Queta has steadily improved his game this season, after being moved into the starting lineup following the departures of Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford and Luke Kornet via trade and free agency, respectively. Even the addition of Nikola Vucevic, who also had a strong showing against Philadelphia, hasn’t displaced Queta from his role in the starting unit.

The fact that Boston’s center rotation was so dominant against the Sixers is an encouraging sign. During the opening months of the 2025-26 season, the big man rotation was seen as a serious weak point in the roster construction. Now, it’s no longer an area of concern.

If Queta continues to produce at the level we saw from him on Sunday, he will have a sizeable role to play in the upcoming postseason. Queta has proven himself to be a starting-caliber big man, and with just one season left on his three-year $7 million deal, a payday might be right around the corner.

More Celtics: Celtics Linked To Former Cavs Guard In Creative Trade Talk

The Detroit Lions are trading veteran running back David Montgomery to the Houston Texans, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported Monday. 

The Texans will send their 2026 fourth-round pick, offensive line Juice Scruggs and a seventh rounder for Montgomery, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports.

The news comes just one day after Montgomery denied reports that he "wanted out" of Detroit.

This breaking news story will be updated.

The Chicago Bears are gearing up for the start of free agency next week, but the trade market is heating up just one week out, and the Bears have been a hot topic of conversation. Linebacker Tremaine Edmunds, wide receiver DJ Moore and quarterback Tyson Bagent have been mentioned as potential trade options for Chicago.

Defensive tackle Gervon Dexter, who's entering the final year of his rookie contract, was reportedly garnering trade interest with teams inquiring about his availability. But Bears insider Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune clarified Dexter trade rumors, saying that Chicago has no intention of trading the former second-round defensive tackle.

"They're not taking (trade) calls on him," Biggs said on 104.3 The Score on Monday. "They're not making calls on him...I'm reporting nothing is happening on that... They've got two defensive tackles under contract, they're not looking to move one," Biggs said. "Gervon Dexter will be with the Bears next season."

Dexter, 24, started all 17 games with the Bears last season, where he totaled 44 tackles, including six tackles for loss, six sacks, 11 QB hits and two fumble recoveries.

Chicago's biggest need this offseason is defensive tackle, where Dexter and Jarrett are the only players under contract. There's uncertainty about their futures beyond 2026, with Dexter hitting free agency and Jarrett getting up there in age. But there's a bigger need for a short-term solution for 2026, which is why trading Dexter wouldn't make sense for the Bears. They need to add defensive tackles, not get rid of them.

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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears insider sets record straight about Gervon Dexter trade rumors

Houston is remaking its backfield.