The images with which we illustrate the articles are never a coincidence, but on this occasion even less so. When the Boston Celtics began the 2025-26 season based on defeats, many said ‘that’s it’ in reference to what they assumed would be a year of tanking and transition. Well, the weeks have gone by and the movie has changed so much that now there is nothing but reasons (including Hugo González) for Jayson Tatum to fulfill what was announced: return to the slopes this season.
The greens, displaying night after night that pride that does not understand names, but men – sorry for the ‘micro-machismo’ – have turned this campaign into a new exercise of conviction, self-love and desire to win, one in which they have now accumulated 10 wins in the last 13 games for an overall balance of 18-11 that places them in third place in the Eastern Conference.
The latest example of that culture of effort that precedes them has arrived this past morning with the flavor of ‘Tatum, we are waiting for you’. After being down 20 points against the Indiana Pacers at the beginning of the third quarter, they rose to make a spectacular comeback with sublime last 12 minutes in defense; and in that partial they have won by 29-13 to end up winning by 103-95. We talk about the team as the basis for everything, but be careful with this Jaylen Brown who wants to be ‘Jays’ again, who scored 31 points last night and is averaging 29.4 with the best field goal percentage of his career (49.7%).
The step forward in defense
The reality is that they have gone from less to more in all facets of the game, especially when it comes to closing their own hoop. It has always been said that attacks win games and defenses win championships, and that is exactly what the Celtics seem to have applied, without being considered contender At some point they are on their way to sneaking into the equation.
Leaving out a month of October in which there were few games, the difference between November and December is notable. Thus, if Boston was ranked 19th in the NBA’s defense in the penultimate month of the year by allowing 116.5 points per 100 possessions, in the present it has risen to 9th by allowing 112.5 per 100 possessions to make another claim to Tatum.
Hugo González and the effort for the flag
In this progress, it is clear that Hugo González has played a relevant role. From being on the court for 9.5 minutes per night last month, the rookie has increased his presence to 19.5; What’s more, in the last game he was the one who spent the longest time on the hardwood, leaving until the 37th minute and making his record for rebounds, 11, in addition to putting up two blocks.
The content we like.
☘️💚Almost a minute of Hugo González in the victory against the Pacers.
6 points
11 rebounds
2 plugs
1 assist
1 robo‼️37 MINUTES on the track. pic.twitter.com/8rFiuKsVTI
— NBASpain (@NBAspain) December 23, 2025
The decision of Joe Mazzulla is not surprising, as he has said publicly that he has asked the Spaniard to control personal fouls to make him play as long as possible. It is logical, since in the last two games he has had the best +/- of Boston, who feels his energy like gasoline to get off his ass and defend tooth and nail.
«In the Las Vegas Summer League I saw what everyone said about him: that he never stops. That’s what I expected when it arrived and it has been fulfilled. From day one, literally, he competes at a high level, playing with intensity. Obviously, he makes some mistakes, but his effort can never be questioned. “It changes the games.” Word of Derrick White.
The ‘map Anfernee Simons’
And there is more. It is obvious that Boston is missing things, as much as with Jayson Tatum they would scare anyone, but it turns out that they have an ‘ace up their sleeve’, one that they acquired in the summer, who is giving them things, but who in the same way should serve just in case they need to do something in the market (a center).
Yes, we are talking about Anfernee Simons. The former Blazers arrived in Boston in the transfer of Jrue Holiday and is now in all the rumors that bargaining chip (due to age, contract and level) that seems to be the key to giving a coup d’état to the season.
Because things are going well, the Celtics are going to fight without hesitation against anyone and entering the playoffs directly is within their reach, but… what if you add to that a good center and a healthy Jayson Tatum? We are running out of reasons to stop believing, and even so there are fewer of those who rain down on Tatum to tell him again and again: Come back!
(Photo by Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images)
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