When the Boston Celtics selected Hugo Gonzalez, Jonathan Givony said on ESPN that he’s “one of the steals of the draft.” That declaration is quickly proving prophetic.

In Friday’s 129-116 victory vs. the Miami Heat, this year’s 28th overall pick logged a career-high 29 minutes. Per usual, he was a defensive menace out there. Joe Mazzulla trusted the six-foot-six wing to guard Bam Adebayo and seven-foot center Kel’el Ware. He capably handled that assignment with aplomb.

Gonzalez paired his hounding defense with 10 points on 4/7 shooting and eight rebounds. That represented a new career-high in the latter category and his second-most of the former. Granted, it was only his 22nd game in the NBA.

However, what’s even more impressive is the encore he delivered.

Hugo Gonzalez takes a critical step in the Celtics’ win vs. the Raptors

Boston arrived north of the border on the second night of a back-to-back. The absence of Jaylen Brown, due to a non-COVID illness, added to the visitors’ challenge.

Despite playing more than he ever had the night before, the Celtics leaned on their rookie to help fill the void. Their message to him was simple.

“You can’t be tired cause you’re 19.”

Hugo Gonzalez discusses with @tvabby playing a career-high 29 minutes last night and following it up by playing 27 minutes and registering his first-career double-double in the Celtics’ win against the Raptors tonight.

🎥: @NBCSCeltics pic.twitter.com/Ojl8GU1527

— Bobby Krivitsky (@BobbyKrivitsky) December 21, 2025

“You can’t be tired cause you’re 19,” Gonzalez told NBC Sports Boston’s Abby Chin of what his team told him entering Saturday’s matchup against the Toronto Raptors.

For a player with a relentless motor, stamina wasn’t an issue. He relished his chance to play far more than he did while on Real Madrid’s loaded, championship-winning roster.

Gonzalez logged 28 minutes in the Celtics’ 112-96 victory. It’s a win that vaults them ahead of the Raptors into third in the East.

The six-foot-six wing registered his first career double-double. He parlayed his extended time on the floor into 10 points, again doing so efficiently, making 5/9 shots. He also grabbed 10 rebounds, surpassing the career-high he established the day before. And for the second straight game, he came up with two steals and a block at the defensive end.

“It’s easy to me to have great energy when the team is also helping, and everyone is engaged on the game, and everybody wants the guy next to him to be successful,” voiced Gonzalez after the win.

The rookie who honed his craft within Real Madrid’s elite infrastructure showcased his savviness as a cutter. He attacked the basket and reaped the rewards of running the floor in transition after a steal and a highlight-reel dime by Baylor Scheierman. The former also threw down a two-handed flush that sent his teammates into a frenzy.

ONLY 19 BTW 😉 pic.twitter.com/9rMGd2nkv0

— Boston Celtics (@celtics) December 21, 2025

“He’s learning how to play vs. different matchups and coverages on the offensive end,” said Joe Mazzulla post-game about Gonzalez’s growth offensively.

To have the career he envisions, consistency is mandatory. Saturday night, he took a critical step in proving the Celtics can count on him from game to game. While his time in the Association is still in its infancy, there has been no reason to doubt his dependability.

As his game grows and his minutes increase, he’ll have to learn how to navigate the tightrope between being a defensive pitbull and defending without fouling.

Joe Mazzulla on Hugo Gonzalez:

“Finding the balance of knowing how to be super aggressive vs. defending without fouling so we can keep you on the floor.”

🎥: @NBCSCeltics https://t.co/HHXFgDeM4V pic.twitter.com/mveEsFAA3B

— Bobby Krivitsky (@BobbyKrivitsky) December 21, 2025

After picking up three first-half fouls, Joe Mazzulla conveyed post-game, “Finding the balance of knowing how to be super aggressive vs. defending without fouling so we can keep you on the floor. You don’t want to take that away because of his instincts and his ability to make plays.”

Gonzalez’s knack for the ball on defense, his versatility at that end, and the infusion of energy he brings have led to him seeing more time on the floor lately. He continues to capitalize on those opportunities. Now, he’s even operating as a small-ball center, giving him the chance to make an impact as an on-ball screener who is already adept at producing positive outcomes with his cutting.

It was fair for those who questioned it to wonder whether a 19-year-old who hardly played for Real Madrid would need to spend time seasoning his game in the G League. What Gonzalez is quickly proving is that he belongs.

He is impressing with his opportunities, showcasing immense potential defensively, and as his game grows offensively, he’s becoming more dynamic at that end of the floor.

For Gonzalez to be doing all of this 23 games into his career, while adjusting to the NBA and living in the United States, sparks intrigue and optimism about what the future holds for him.