The Boston Celtics selected rookie Hugo Gonzalez with the 28th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. The 19-year-old is already proving to be a shrewd addition to the Celtics’ rotation, mainly due to his high level of defense, which has allowed him to hold his own against some of the better forwards in the league.
Over the past two games, Gonzalez has been impactful for the Celtics. His high motor, defensive versatility, and physicality have all contributed to Joe Mazzulla’s team securing back-to-back wins over the Toronto Raptors and Indiana Pacers.
During Gonzalez’s postgame news conference, All-Star forward Jayson Tatum dropped by to share a message of encouragement.
“What I’d tell you yesterday?” Tatum asked Gonzalez from the side. “That you’re a bad motherf—-r.”
Tatum’s comment came after Gonzalez logged a season-high in minutes for the Celtics. The rookie forward was part of the rotation that helped Boston claw back into a game that it trailed by 20 points heading into halftime. Gonzalez ended the night with 6 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 1 steal and 2 blocks in almost 37 minutes of playing time.
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Gonzalez’s performance against the Pacers helped build on his 10-point, 10-rebounding outing against the Raptors on Dec. 20. He is clearly earning the trust of the coaching staff and his teammates. The most encouraging part about it all is that he’s still in the opening months of his career and has a significant amount of room for improvement.
Gonzalez and the Celtics will now have three days off before facing the Pacers on Friday, Dec. 26, in an instant rematch for both teams. That rest is likely much-needed, as Boston has played three games in the past four days.
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Featured image via Winslow Townson/Imagn Images
