Hugo González has solidified his position in the Boston Celtics’ starting lineup, marking his third start in the team’s 109-102 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks. The Madrid-born forward, who entered the NBA as a product of the Real Madrid youth system, played just over 14 minutes in the win, contributing 4 points, 2 rebounds, and a block while committing only one turnover, according to reports from MARCA.
This recent stretch of games represents a significant increase in responsibility for the 20-year-old. Before facing the Bucks, González was named to the starting five in a win against the Orlando Magic and a loss to the Houston Rockets. With these three consecutive starts, he has already equaled the total number of games he started during his entire 74-game rookie season, as noted by MARCA.
Defensive Contribution Against Milwaukee
During his 14 minutes on the floor against Milwaukee, González focused on defensive intensity, particularly in his matchups against Tyler Herro. While his scoring output remained modest—hitting 1 of 3 from the field—he demonstrated an ability to maneuver through traffic, scoring on a drive that showcased his improved ball-handling, a skill he emphasized during the off-season.
The game also served as a meeting between two prospects with roots in European youth systems. While González helped lead the Celtics to victory, he faced off against Bucks guard Kasparas Jakucionis, a former FC Barcelona youth player. The 1.96-meter Lithuanian point guard arrived at La Masia in 2021 and debuted with the first team under Saras Jasikevicius in 2023. Known as “Kas” in the NBA, he moved to the NCAA in 2024 and, following a standout year at Illinois, was drafted 20th overall by the Miami Heat in 2025. While the Bucks reportedly attempted to include González in trade negotiations during the off-season to acquire Giannis Antetokounmpo, Boston management declined those requests, ultimately leading Milwaukee to facilitate a trade with the Miami Heat involving Herro and Jakucionis instead, as reported by Mundo Deportivo.
Veteran Leaders Pace Celtics Past Bucks in Win
The Celtics’ victory over the Bucks was anchored by strong offensive performances from veteran leaders. Paul George paced Boston with 25 points, while Derrick White added 24. For the Bucks, Tyler Herro and Jaime Jáquez Jr.—both of whom arrived in Milwaukee following the trade involving Antetokounmpo—recorded 25 and 18 points, respectively.
Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla has continued to experiment with his rotation, balancing the development of young players like González—who has experienced a bittersweet situation as an international player despite winning the battle between the Real Madrid and Barcelona youth academies—with the contributions of bench pieces such as Baylor Scheierman.
Impact on the Eastern Conference Standings
In that matchup, Jayson Tatum led the team with 32 points, and González also saw 14 minutes of action, recording 7 points, one rebound, and two steals. Orlando, que ocupa la décima posición de la Conferencia Este, tiene un registro de 2-4 tras sufrir su tercera derrota consecutiva en condición de local, según reportes. The Magic began their season with losses to the Atlanta Hawks and Minnesota Timberwolves, followed by a win against the New York Knicks and a defeat by the Toronto Raptors before the Boston game. As the season progresses, González remains a focal point for observers looking to see if he can maintain his starting role. His next opportunity to contribute to the Celtics’ rotation will come during their upcoming slate of games, as the team looks to build on their recent winning momentum.
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