BOSTON — With the new season comes new opportunities for several members of the Boston Celtics. Former star guard Jaylen Brown was traded away this summer, meaning other Celtics will now have a larger role, especially on offense. That includes sophomore wing Hugo González, who had an impressive rookie season in which he demonstrated his high ceiling.
But González doesn't seem to view the upcoming regular season as a chance to solely increase his scoring average. The 20-year-old understands that the C's could use his points, yet they truly need his defense. González wreaked havoc on opposing offenses during the 2025-26 campaign and is aiming to escalate that defensive intensity. He's not as concerned about his shot count.
"We got a great system
where everybody can get an opportunity to impact the game offensively," González said during a Monday morning practice at the Auerbach Center. "I know my first job is to be a great defender and to try to guard the best players on the other team."
During the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs, González guarded everybody from speedy Philadelphia 76ers point guard Tyrese Maxey to towering center Joel Embiid. This defensive versatility is what the Celtics expect from him on a nightly basis.
"I just try to play the game the right way," González stated.
Although Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla frequently emphasizes the importance of defense and downplays shotmaking, that doesn't mean the coaching staff expects González to be a one-way player. The Madrid native has the green light to shoot, and that's worked out for him so far in preseason play.
Over the course of two preseason wins, González has converted on 11 of his 16 field goal attempts and averaged 16 points. Better yet, he's shooting 70 percent from beyond the arc and made four triples in the Celtics' 144-106 drubbing of the Sixers on Saturday night.
If this hot shooting can carry into the regular season, González could have a breakout year — and a bright future in Boston.
"That's one of the points in my game that I want to improve in the season," he said of his shooting.
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This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: Celtics Hugo González focusing on one side of the court this season
