Bill Simmons declares the ‘death of the 2023 Boston Celtics’

celtics bench

Things look bleak right now for the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals

Bill Simmons is calling it: The 2023 Boston Celtics’ season is officially dead.

On Monday’s episode of “The Bill Simmons Podcast,” The Ringer editor declared “the death of the 2023 Boston Celtics” after the team’s disastrous loss Sunday put them down 3-0 against the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Simmons said the team had fallen precipitously since its comeback against the Philadelphia 76ers in the previous round. But seeing the Celtics getting run off the floor in Game 3, Simmons to podcast guest Ryen Russilo they’re done — and that the team rolled over.

Celtics injury report: Reserve center ruled out vs. Wizards

The Celtics will be shorthanded in the frontcourt for the first time this season on Monday after a late addition to the team’s injury report against the Wizards. Two-way center Neemias Queta was ruled out by the team on Monday morning due to a sore foot. Boston had a clean injury report for their first two games of the year.

That type of play makes him a candidate to play off the bench on nights when Al Horford and Kristaps Porzingis are inactive moving forward. He made a good impression with coach Joe Mazzulla during training camp.

“He’s gotten better and better every day since he’s been with us,” Mazzulla said earlier this month. “Just his ability to pick up on our defensive schemes for a guy like him is the most important thing. I thought he saw great strides in what we’re asking for him defensively.”

When healthy, Queta should compete for minutes against Luke Kornet as a more traditional center off the bench. Boston could also elect to play smaller in games without their top-6 bigs by going with an athletic forward like Oshae Brissett more. However, Queta could give the team a bigger rim-running threat in those spots.

Queta has yet to play in a game for the Celtics during the regular season but was a surprise bright spot during the preseason. He averaged 9.6 points and 4.6 rebounds per game in three appearances while shooting 86.7 percent from the field.

“The ability to play on the offensive end is huge,” Mazzulla said of Queta. “To think, to pass, to screen, to maneuver. I really like his growth. Our staff has done a great job developing him since he’s been here.”

Queta’s next chance to suit up will be on Wednesday night when the Celtics host the Pacers at TD Garden.