Hugo Gonzalez isn’t playing every game for the Celtics as he navigates his rookie season. But whenever his number is called, he’s gives the game an injection of energy. That was again the case as the Celtics blew out the Wizards 146-101 on Thursday from Capital One Arena.
Gonzalez gave another glimpse of a promising future as he had a career-high 14 points and five rebounds, shooting 6-for-7 from the field against Washington. The rookie will dish out some highlights, too, including a chase-down block on Cam Whitmore in the first quarter. Those are the types of plays where he just breathes life into the game.
“Our guys did a good job executing the game plan,” C’s coach Joe Mazzulla said after the win, via CLNS Media. “It was good attention to detail by the players. I thought their physicality and ball pressure were great. When you have that type of ball pressure, you force guys into poor spacing then you’re able to kind of make plays.”
Gonzalez’s defense is his ticket to playing time as he also had a stellar night against the Knicks guarding some of New York’s best players. But it’s clear he’s improving in his first NBA season as he’s contributing more and more, whether it’s scoring or other parts of the game. Gonzalez’s feel for the game has impressed since he’s still just 19.
The Celtics have enjoyed multiple wings stepping up this season as that was a question mark coming into the year. Gonzalez is one of three lengthy, athletic wings who are all factors defensively. Jordan Walsh has enjoyed his own breakout season, recently as a starter. Josh Minott has also been a consistent rotation player.
Part of the appeal is looking toward the future when Jayson Tatum is back from rehabbing his ruptured Achilles tendon. The C’s will aim to be title contenders once again, so they’ll need cheap and reliable production. That’s where the likes of Gonzalez, Minott and Walsh can be future rotation players.
Gonzalez has credited his teammates as he’s learning as much as possible during this rookie season. There was some speculation that perhaps he could be sent to the G League with the Maine Celtics to get consistent playing time. That was the case for Walsh and Baylor Scheierman when they were rookies, spending a lot of time there.
Mazzulla has instead relied upon Gonzalez in key moments. He’s not playing every night as Gonzalez hasn’t quite locked down a consistent rotation spot. But what he’s shown as a teenager in the NBA should project well going forward. The Celtics also have him under team control for the foreseeable future since he was a first-round pick.
Gonzalez still has a long way to go, though it’s clear he’s good enough to be an NBA player. His ceiling is still an unknown at this point. But as the Celtics have seen with their talented wing, he could be a piece for years to come.