Rookie Boston Celtics forward Hugo Gonzalez has begun to carve out a space for himself in the Celtics’ rotations despite his recent arrival in the NBA and him being just 19 years old, his high motor and fearless defense leading to electric moments already getting the attention of the national media. The Madrid native recently took some time to talk about missing a coveted cover n Minnesota Timberwolves star guard Anthony Edwards, and one of his favorite defensive matchups at the NBA level so far in Houston Rockets superstar Kevin Durant on a recent episode of the Drafteados podcast.

“I’ve had an incredible masterclass so far, a clinic under my belt,” explained Gonzalez in Spanish (h/t to HoopsHype for the translation). One of his favorite NBA players, the Boston rookie was excited to guard Edwards, but it didn’t pan out for him. “I really wanted to play against him,” he explained. “I didn’t actually play in that game in Minnesota.”

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“I remember playing six, seven minutes against Kevin Durant,” continued Gonzalez, shifting his attention to the Rickets star.

Nov 1, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics forward Hugo Gonzalez (28) defends Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (7) during the first half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images

Nov 1, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics forward Hugo Gonzalez (28) defends Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (7) during the first half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images

“In the first two minutes, I fouled him twice. I didn’t see him — I didn’t see him,” said the Celtics wing. “He faked me out and I didn’t see him. “

“The second time, I tried to push him a little further out so he’d receive the ball away from the basket, and they called a foul on me, and I told the referee, ‘It’s not a foul,’ and then a coach friend of mine said, ‘Did you see how he looked at you? He looked at you like that like ‘It’s a foul.’ And then you see him play, and if you’re only paying attention to him, when he wants to score or when he feels like contributing or shooting or whatever, he goes and does it and doesn’t see you.”

“He just goes, gets the ball, does what he does best, which is to be unstoppable, and he scores regardless of who’s in front of him,” said Gonzalez.

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This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: Hugo Gonzalez on what it was like guarding Kevin Durant for Celtics