NBA Notebook: Celtics abroad, late-summer trades, and more free-agency drama

With the NBA offseason underway, several Boston Celtics players are representing their national teams in the 2027 FIBA EuroBasket World Cup Qualifiers and the 2029 World Cup pre-qualifiers. Neemias Queta (Portugal), Hugo Gonzalez (Spain), and Luka Garza (Bosnia and Herzegovina) are competing in the qualifiers, while Amari Williams is playing for Great Britain in the pre-qualifiers.

In a notable upset, Portugal defeated Spain 95-89. Queta starred for Portugal with 16 points, nine rebounds (five offensive), and one assist on 5-of-10 shooting. Gonzalez struggled for Spain, posting just three points, four rebounds, and one assist on 1-of-4 shooting, though he played a team-high 23:27 as a 20-year-old; his plus-minus was -23. Portugal's supporting cast included Travante Williams, St. John's forward Ruben Prey, and Diogo Brito, while Spain boasted NBA talent such as Juancho and Willy Hernangomez and rookies Aday Mara and Baba Miller—making Portugal's win especially impressive.

Elsewhere, Luka Garza came off the bench to help Bosnia and Herzegovina beat Italy 78-76, contributing 10 points and seven rebounds (two offensive) on 4-of-8 shooting. He backed up Utah Jazz center Jusuf Nurkic, who dominated with 25 points, 14 rebounds (six offensive), and two assists against Italy's Simone Fontecchio and Nico Mannion. Meanwhile, Amari Williams and Great Britain secured a convincing 110-75 victory over Switzerland in 2029 World Cup pre-qualifying action.

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