In a shocking turn of events during the Boston Celtics’ season opener against the Philadelphia 76ers, newly acquired center Luka Garza was forced to exit the game at halftime, entering the NBA’s concussion protocol. The announcement came after Garza collided with 76ers center Adem Bona while battling for an offensive rebound late in the second quarter. The incident has cast a cloud of uncertainty over the promising big man’s debut with the Celtics.
Despite the collision, Garza initially remained in the game, showcasing his resilience by swatting away a layup attempt from Philadelphia’s red-hot guard Tyrese Maxey, who torched the Celtics for 19 points in the second quarter alone. Garza’s defensive stand was a highlight in his brief six-minute stint, where he also grabbed two rebounds but did not score.
However, the 26-year-old center’s night ended abruptly as he was ruled out for the remainder of the game. The Celtics confirmed that Garza has entered stage one of the NBA’s concussion protocol, which mandates immediate removal from play for a neurological evaluation in a quiet, distraction-free environment. The team physician or athletic trainer must review video footage to assess the mechanism of the injury before Garza can even be considered for a return.
If Garza is diagnosed with a concussion, he will be sidelined for a minimum of 48 hours and must pass a series of tests to confirm full recovery before resuming basketball activities. This would almost certainly rule him out for Boston’s next game against the New York Knicks on Friday night. Even if no concussion is confirmed, Garza’s symptoms will require monitoring, with a follow-up evaluation within 24 hours.
Garza, a former Iowa Hawkeye, had earned significant playing time during the Celtics’ preseason, averaging 15 minutes per game. His performance was solid, if unspectacular, with 9.0 points and 3.3 rebounds per game on 42.5% shooting from the field. Most notably, Garza showcased his knack for drawing fouls, averaging an impressive five free-throw attempts per game during the exhibition slate. While his production tapered off toward the end of the preseason, his physical presence and hustle had positioned him as a valuable depth piece for Boston.
With Garza sidelined, the Celtics will turn to Neemias Queta and Xavier Tillman Sr. to fill the void in the frontcourt. The sudden absence of Garza raises questions about Boston’s depth as they navigate a tough early-season schedule. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely for updates on Garza’s condition, hoping the promising center can return to action soon and continue his development in green.