The Celtics’ season came to a sudden end with a Game 7 loss to the Sixers in the first round of the playoffs. It was a brutal finish, especially considering they held a 3-1 lead and were up by 13 points in the fourth quarter at the Garden. In the end, nothing: an early exit after a 56-win regular season and legitimate title aspirations, all evaporated by a Joel Embiid who, after years of waiting, finally became the star he always promised to be.
A shocking disappointment and a clear failure, but one that does not diminish Hugo González’s role in his first NBA season. The rookie year has exceeded expectations, and that much is undeniable.
Despite a shaky start, the former Real Madrid player gradually earned a spot in Joe Mazzulla’s rotation, with the coach trusting him more and more. By season’s end, the Spaniard had played 74 games, three as a starter, while his role grew steadily. He became a master of the intangibles, a quality his coach highly valued. His stats—4 points and 3.3 rebounds in under 15 minutes per game—may seem modest, but they don’t reflect the impact the forward had as the season progressed.
He became a respected voice in the locker room, earning admiration from everyone, including Jaylen Brown, who made a strong case for MVP.
Hugo had nine games with double-digit points, with his best performance coming in a win over the Bucks on March 2: 18 points, 16 rebounds (five offensive), one assist, three steals, and two blocks. However, his playing time dipped when Jayson Tatum returned from his Achilles injury. From there, the Spaniard saw fewer minutes, and his stats naturally declined. That trend continued into the playoffs, where the Celtics had high hopes.
It’s typical for a rookie to see reduced minutes in a postseason-bound team, so this didn’t bother him. Still, the forward appeared in four of the seven playoff games but failed to score his first points. In the decisive Game 7, with Tatum out, he played nearly 13 minutes, again without scoring but grabbing three rebounds.
Now, at just 20 years old, Hugo is established and has a bright future ahead. The world is at his feet as he aims to keep growing and gaining ground in the NBA. And of course, he is poised to lead the Spanish national team, becoming one of the key faces in a rebuild led by Chus Mateo, who counts on him. Hugo González: Year One, from Madrid to the sky.
