The Boston Celtics took another hit on Tuesday night — this time to their young core.
Rookie guard Hugo Gonzalez left the game against the Philadelphia 76ers after suffering a right ankle sprain late in the third quarter. The 19-year-old went down awkwardly after landing on a defender’s foot and was helped to the locker room.
Before the injury, Gonzalez logged just under six minutes of action, finishing with five points, two rebounds, and a steal. The Celtics initially listed him as questionable to return, but he was later upgraded to available midway through the fourth quarter — though he did not check back in.
Celtics’ Tough Night in Philadelphia
It capped off a frustrating night for the Celtics, who fell 102–100 to the 76ers in another close, grind-it-out finish. Boston had multiple chances late but came up short again, dropping to 2–5 in clutch-time games this season.
Jaylen Brown led the team with 24 points, while Derrick White and Payton Pritchard added timely buckets. Still, a few late breakdowns — including a costly defensive lapse in the final seconds — allowed Philadelphia to escape with the win.
The Celtics’ depth has been one of their early strengths this season, especially with Jayson Tatum still recovering from his Achilles injury. But injuries to key rotation pieces, even briefly, are the last thing Boston needs during a stretch defined by narrow margins and close finishes.
Strong Start for Gonzalez Before Injury
GettyThe Boston Celtics selected Hugo Gonzalez with the No. 28 pick in the 2025 NBA draft.
Despite the setback, Gonzalez has quietly impressed in limited minutes this season. The Spanish rookie leads all first-year players in defensive rating and has become a trusted energy piece off the bench for head coach Joe Mazzulla.
Through nine games, Gonzalez is averaging 3.1 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 13.7 minutes per game. His hustle and defensive instincts have stood out early, and the Celtics have valued his ability to hold his own against more experienced opponents.
The team will monitor his ankle closely ahead of their next game, but early signs suggest the injury isn’t serious.
Celtics Eye Consistency Moving Forward
The Celtics’ late-game struggles continue to be a theme this season. They’ve been competitive in nearly every outing but haven’t been able to consistently close.
With Tatum’s recovery ongoing and younger players gaining valuable experience, Boston is still piecing together its identity. Getting healthy — and learning how to close games — will be key if they want to stay competitive in the East.
For a young Celtic like Gonzalez, this minor setback could simply be part of the learning curve as he adjusts to life in the NBA.
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