The Boston Celtics are quietly putting together one of the more surprising stories of this NBA season. After Saturday’s win over the Toronto Raptors, they’ve improved to 17-11 - good enough for third in the Eastern Conference. And they’re doing it without their biggest star.
With Jayson Tatum sidelined for the season due to a ruptured Achilles, many expected the Celtics to slide into mediocrity. Losing a top-tier scorer and playmaker like Tatum typically resets a team’s ceiling. But instead of folding, Boston has leaned into its depth, toughness, and a new wave of young talent - and they’re showing they’re not going anywhere.
Jaylen Brown has stepped up as the lead man, but what’s really keeping this team afloat - and in some games, pushing them over the top - is the energy and emergence of their young core. One name in particular is starting to turn heads: rookie forward Hugo Gonzalez.
Hugo Gonzalez: From “project” to promising contributor
When the Celtics selected Gonzalez with the 28th overall pick, the general consensus was that he’d be a long-term investment - a raw 19-year-old with upside but not necessarily someone expected to contribute right away. Fast forward to mid-December, and Gonzalez is already making a case for regular rotation minutes.
In Saturday’s win over Toronto, Gonzalez logged 28 minutes and notched a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. That kind of production is impressive on any night, but it’s even more notable considering it came on the second night of a back-to-back - a situation where veterans often look gassed, let alone rookies.
But Gonzalez didn’t just survive the back-to-back; he thrived in it. He brought relentless energy on both ends of the floor, crashing the glass, contesting shots, and running the floor with a motor that didn’t quit.
After the game, Gonzalez kept it simple when asked about his approach:
"Whatever they told me was that you can't be tired because you're 19.
I tried to bring the energy. I feel like we've done a great job.
It's easy for me to have great energy when the team is also helping, and everybody wants the guy next to him to be successful."
That quote says a lot about the culture in Boston right now - and about Gonzalez’s mindset. He’s not just trying to get by; he’s trying to earn his place.
Joe Mazzulla sees real potential
Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla has taken notice. With Jaylen Brown out due to illness, Gonzalez was given more opportunity against the Raptors, and he didn’t waste it. Mazzulla was impressed not only with the rookie’s hustle, but with his feel for the game on the defensive end.
"Finding the balance of knowing how to be super aggressive vs. defending without fouling, so we can keep you on the floor... He's got a great knack for the ball defensively, and he's learning how to play vs. matchups and different coverages," Mazzulla said postgame.
That’s high praise from a coach who’s known for demanding discipline on defense. It’s clear the Celtics are already envisioning Gonzalez as more than just a developmental piece. He’s showing he can contribute now - and that he might be a real factor once Tatum returns next season.
Looking ahead
The Celtics still have a long road ahead, and there’s no replacing a player like Tatum. But what they’re building this season - with Brown leading the charge and young players like Gonzalez stepping up - could pay dividends beyond just this year.
Gonzalez isn’t just a feel-good rookie story. He’s proving he can hang in real NBA minutes, in real games, with real stakes. And if he keeps trending upward, the Celtics might have found a gem at the back end of the first round - someone who can help them now and grow into a key piece of their future.
For a team many thought would fade without its franchise cornerstone, the Celtics are doing more than just surviving. They’re evolving. And Hugo Gonzalez is becoming a name worth remembering.