When the Boston Celtics rolled out a small-ball lineup against the Detroit Pistons, it wasn’t just about speed or spacing-it was about execution. And quietly, Hugo Gonzalez showed he’s starting to figure out how to carve out a niche in those moments, even when the traditional blueprint says he shouldn’t be the one doing the dirty work.
Without a true big on the floor, someone has to step up and do the little things that keep the offense humming-set screens, create space, and make smart reads. Gonzalez did exactly that. He wasn’t setting bruising picks like Neemias Queta, but he was effective in his own way-cutting with purpose, timing his movements, and reading the defense like a seasoned vet.
Take one possession in the second quarter. Gonzalez set a screen for Jaylen Brown on the left wing, drawing Isaiah Stewart’s attention.
But instead of holding the screen, Gonzalez slipped toward the rim before making contact with Jaden Ivey. That slip created a clean lane to the basket.
Brown, who had been seeing double-teams all night, spotted the opening and delivered a perfect pass. Gonzalez caught it in stride and finished through Cade Cunningham’s late contest.
It was a savvy read-one that didn’t show up in the box score as a screen assist, but made all the difference.
That wasn’t a one-off, either. Earlier, Gonzalez had dumped the ball off to Payton Pritchard, then immediately turned to set a screen.
Stewart again tried to double, and Gonzalez popped out to the three-point line. That movement forced Javonte Green to rotate over, cutting off the easy return pass.
But that shift in defensive attention opened up a lane-Baylor Scheierman recognized it and darted toward the rim. Cunningham, who was guarding Brown, had to help.
The ball swung back out to Brown, who pump-faked Green, then calmly drilled a mid-range jumper.
It was a chain reaction-initiated by Gonzalez’s simple but smart decision.
Later in the quarter, Gonzalez tried to run a dribble hand-off with Pritchard, but Green sniffed it out and blew it up. Pritchard didn’t panic.
He reversed course, attacked downhill, and drew a foul. Again, it wasn’t a flashy play from Gonzalez, but it was part of the connective tissue that kept the possession alive.
These are the kind of sequences that show why Gonzalez might earn more minutes as the season progresses. He’s known for his defensive instincts, but now he’s starting to show he can contribute on the offensive end, especially in lineups that demand versatility and quick decision-making.
Joe Mazzulla has options when he goes small. But if Gonzalez keeps making these kinds of smart, subtle plays, he might just become a staple in those looks. It’s not about being the focal point-it’s about being the guy who makes the offense click when the usual structure isn’t there.
And right now, Gonzalez is doing just that.