Boston Celtics rookie’s stellar NBA debut vs. Knicks changes outlook

Hugo Gonzalez didn’t have to wait long Friday for his NBA debut as the Celtics faced the Knicks at Madison Square Garden. C’s coach Joe Mazzulla called the rookie’s number midway through the first quarter.

Gonzalez looked the part immediately with his infectious defense and athleticism. And with the Celtics trying to erase a 20-point halftime deficit, Mazzulla used Gonzalez consistently in the second half. It was clear to everyone watching the game: the rookie can hoop. So while the Celtics lost 105-95 to the Knicks, Gonzalez changes the team’s outlook going forward as a bright spot.

“Felt good,” Gonzalez told reporters in New York, via the NBC Sports Boston broadcast. “Stepping on the floor was good. But still, I’m not having a great memory of this day because we lost the game that we could have won. We’re working on details, gotta get better there.”

Gonzalez was seemingly everywhere Friday, and notably, he got the assignment to defend Jalen Brunson on multiple possessions. Gonzalez was playing well enough that Mazzulla leaned on him deep into the game as the Celtics tried to put together a comeback. The rookie eventually subbed out, but his impact on the game was undeniable as his feel for the game allowed him to make multiple plays.

All in all, Gonzalez finished with six points, four rebounds and two steals in his 23 minutes on Friday. He did pick up four personal fouls, so there are areas he needs to clean up. But his tenacity on both ends of the court changed the game for the Celtics in the second half as they chipped away at their deficit before falling to 0-2.

Gonzalez, 19, almost made his NBA debut in the season-opening loss to the 76ers as he was at the scorer’s table near the end of third quarter. But with no stoppage in play, Mazzulla called him back to the bench. So, instead, he got to show Celtics fans what he can contribute for the team on the stage known as Madison Square Garden.

“Hugo’s looking great, man,” Jaylen Brown said, via CLNS Media. “Hugo’s playing with energy, he’s playing with fight. That’s the type of mentality that we need. He’s picking up guys. I like what I’ve seen out of him, how he’s guarding some of the team’s best players. We need more of that. It can’t be just from the rook.”

The Celtics’ rotation will likely change on a nightly basis, much like it did Friday. Mazzulla played Gonzalez, Baylor Scheierman and Jordan Walsh for stretches in the first half. Josh Minott, who played in the Sixers game, didn’t see the court. So the wing rotation is still in flux behind Brown and Sam Hauser.

The talent is tantalizing since Gonzalez is still so raw. He’ll need to add a consistent 3-pointer to truly reach his ceiling. But Gonzalez being able to impact the game at this level just months into his NBA career is noteworthy. The Celtics chose him 28th overall in this year’s draft out of Real Madrid, where he didn’t get much playing time as a teenager. But if he can continue playing like he did Friday, he’ll have a say on the Celtics’ season even as a rookie.

“He understands what it takes,” Mazzulla said. “I think he has a clear understanding of what his role is, and it’s to defend at the highest of levels and play with a level of effort on the offensive end. And he’s able to do that. There are things he needs to clean up, obviously, but I thought he did a great job of helping accept that third-quarter tone of his effort and his toughness.”