The Celtics wing depth looked like their biggest question mark entering the 2025-26 season. Just two months later, it looks like a surprise area of strength, with rookie Hugo Gonzalez being one of the main reasons why.
The 19-year-old gave the team more reasons for optimism on Saturday night, delivering his first double-double of his NBA career with 10 points and a career-high 10 rebounds off the bench in a 112-96 road win over the Toronto Raptors.
For the second straight game, Gonzalez was a massive bright spot off the bench, finishing with a game-best +37 in plus/minus as he played with terrific energy on both ends of the floor. He added a pair of steals and an assist in his 28 minutes, one shy of his career-high, which he posted in Friday’s win over the Heat.
Gonzalez likely would have played even more if he didn’t finish the first half in foul trouble (3 fouls). However, he played with greater control in the second half, earning him plenty of praise from Joe Mazzulla.
“[He’s] finding the balance of knowing how to be super aggressive versus defending without fouling so we can keep you on the floor,” Mazzulla told reporters in Toronto. “You don’t want to take that away because of his instincts and ability to make plays on both ends. He has a great knack for the ball defensively and he’s learning how to play against different matchups and coverages on the offensive end. The second half, he was great. The last few games he’s been great for us. He’s going to continue to get better and better.”
The individual numbers for the No. 28 overall pick may be modest but Boston’s success on the floor with Gonzalez is undeniable through the first 28 games of the season.
Gonzalez (305 minutes) has the best net rating in the Eastern Conference (+19.9) among players who have been on the floor for 100 minutes this season. He trails just Alex Caruso (+27.5) and Aaron Gordon (+20.7) in that category among the league leaders, with that duo being two of the best role players in the NBA.
It’s no surprise that Gonzalez is making an impact with his defensive energy, but his offensive efficiency (52% FG, 44.4% 3-pt FG) has been a welcome surprise in his 13.2 minutes per game. With Gonzalez contributing more on the glass now (18 rebounds in last two games), he’s emerging as a versatile weapon for Joe Mazzulla and looks like one of the biggest steals of the NBA Draft just two months into the season.