Cenac is not in the starting lineup for Tuesday's season opener against Detroit, per Sean Grande of NBC Sports Boston.
This is an expected shift in role after Cenac started Boston's preseason finale. With the Celtics' frontcourt healthy, the rookie big man is not likely to see meaningful playing time.
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Celtics' Chris Cenac: Making first preseason start
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Cenac will start Friday's preseason finale against the 76ers, Bobby Krivitsky of Forbes.com reports.
With all of Boston's regulars resting, the rookie will make his first career NBA start, albeit in preseason action. He's been off to a slow start during the preseason, but Cenac will have a major opportunity during the final exhibition.
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Celtics' Chris Cenac: Draws praise from Queta
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Cenac received high praise from teammate Neemias Queta on Monday, with the veteran center saying the rookie has the potential to become a "juggernaut" in the NBA, Taylor Snow of the Celtics' official site reports.
Queta highlighted Cenac's combination of size, mobility and ability to defend multiple positions, adding that "the sky is the limit" for the 19-year-old. Cenac showed flashes of that defensive versatility during Summer League, but with Queta, Mitchell Robinson and Luka Garza among the experienced options in Boston's frontcourt, the No. 27 overall pick may have to earn his opportunities during his rookie campaign.
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Celtics' Chris Cenac: Playing time could be limited
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Cenac appears to be buried on the Celtics' depth chart ahead of his rookie season.
Boston signed Mitchell Robinson in free agency and still has Neemias Queta in the fold at center as well, likely leaving Cenac to fight for scraps with Luka Garza off the bench in 2026-27. Much like two-way player Amari Williams, Cenac's clearest path to steady action appears to be with the G League's Maine Celtics while the parent club is healthy.
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Celtics' Chris Cenac: Heading to Boston
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Cenac was selected by the Celtics with the No. 27 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
Cenac entered the collegiate ranks as a well-regarded recruit and showed flashes of greatness mixed with inconsistency during his lone season at Houston. Across 37 games, the big man averaged 9.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, 0.8 steals, 0.7 assists and 0.5 blocks while shooting 48.5 percent from the field and 33.3 percent from beyond the arc in 24.8 minutes per contest. The 19-year-old possesses an excellent frame and moves well at 6-foot-11, but he remains a raw prospect with significant development ahead of him. Cenac will join a center group that is slated to lose Nikola Vucevic to unrestricted free agency, though the much-improved Neemias Queta excelled as Boston's starting center throughout the 2025-26 season and Luka Garza provides additional depth.
