Celtics Survive the Chaos, Lean on Rookie Heroics in Double-OT Thriller vs. Nets
NEW YORK - The Celtics were on the ropes. Up 10 with three minutes left in regulation, they watched that lead vanish in a blink against a scrappy Nets squad that refused to quit.
Their bigs-Neemias Queta and Luka Garza-had both fouled out. The momentum had flipped, and Boston was staring down what could’ve been one of the most deflating losses of their season.
Enter Hugo González.
The rookie wing, known more for his defensive motor than his offensive polish, suddenly found himself thrust into the spotlight in the first overtime. With the Celtics going small out of necessity, González was part of a makeshift lineup trying to hold the line.
And when the ball swung to him in the left corner with the clock bleeding down and the game on the line, he didn’t hesitate. He rose up, let it fly, and buried a clutch, game-tying three with just 0.4 seconds left on the clock.
That shot didn’t just extend the game-it flipped the energy in the building. It was the kind of moment that can fast-track a rookie’s confidence and earn the trust of a coaching staff.
But the Celtics weren’t done digging into their depth chart.
Amari Williams, a two-way contract center who had flown in from Maine at the last minute due to Queta’s uncertain status, had spent the bulk of the night glued to the bench. But in the second overtime, with González gassed and Boston still scrambling for answers, Williams got the call. And he delivered.
Williams made the most of his moment, converting a pivotal three-point play and coming up with a game-saving block that helped seal the Celtics’ wild 130-126 win in double overtime.
This wasn’t just a gritty win-it was a testament to Boston’s depth and resilience. On a night when their rotation was stretched to the limit, two young players who weren’t expected to be in the spotlight stepped in and swung the game. González with the shot of the night, Williams with the defensive stand that iced it.
For a team with championship aspirations, these are the kinds of moments that matter. Not just because of the win, but because of who made it happen.