Celtics’ Hugo Gonzalez explains nasty NBA offseason bruise

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Celtics’ Hugo Gonzalez explains nasty NBA offseason bruise

Originally posted on NBA on ClutchPoints
By Paolo Mariano, ClutchPoints | Last updated Jul 10, 2026 12:09 AM ET

Hugo Gonzalez is expected to lead the charge for the Boston Celtics in the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas. The Celtics will start their campaign on Friday against the Toronto Raptors.

Gonzalez quickly became a fan favorite in Boston in his rookie year due to his hustle, tenacity, and personality. The Celtics drafted him with the No. 28 pick in 2025.

As he enters his second season, he is expected to add more to his game, especially on offense. Getting heavy minutes in the NBA Summer League will help him a lot.

He, however, has a nasty bruise on his right arm, which he sustained in the FIBA World Cup European Qualifiers. But he stressed that it is nothing to worry about, as reported by CLNS’ Noa Dalzell.

“Just a hard fall in the qualifiers,” said Gonzalez, who suited up for Spain.

Dalzell also noted: “He said he had taken a bet for how many questions it would take until we’d ask about it.”

Hugo Gonzalez has a gnarly bruise on his arm from the FIBA qualifying games

He said he had taken a bet for how many Qs it would take until we’d ask about it

“Just a hard fall in the qualifiers.” pic.twitter.com/JNm9eqUOkG

— Noa Dalzell (@NoaDalzell) July 9, 2026

Spain split its last two games in the first round, winning against Denmark, 109-81, and getting upset by Georgia, 91-89. La Roja topped Group I with a 5-1 record and advanced to the second round, which will begin next month.

The 20-year-0ld Gonzalez averaged 12.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 2.0 steals against Denmark and Georgia. He did not play in their previous games.

Meanwhile, NBA.com’s Brian Martin included the hard-nosed guard in his list of top 15 players to watch in the NBA Summer League.

“Gonzalez averaged 3.9 points and 3.3 rebounds in 74 games as a rookie. But the stat that really stands out is his 11.9 net rating, with his defense and energy off the bench making a significant impact beyond traditional stats. Now, he gets another summer to work on his game for the new-look Celtics following the Jaylen Brown trade,” wrote Martin.

Gonzalez gained some buzz in the offseason after it was reported that the Celtics did not want to include him in the trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo, who eventually went to the Miami Heat.

This article first appeared on NBA on ClutchPoints and was syndicated with permission.

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