That Summer League game against the Kings was an absolute battle, but the Celtics pulled out an 82-76 win in their second to last matchup! It was a total grind, but man, Hugo Gonzalez stepped up huge, dropping 24 points, snagging 10 rebounds, and dishing out 5 assists. Talk about doing it all, right? Rookie Chris Cenac Jr. was right there too, making a serious impact with 10 points, 12 boards, and 2 blocks off the bench.
Kings Started Cold, Celtics Heated Up
The game kicked off like someone forgot to turn on the lights, especially for the Kings. They started an abysmal 1-17, giving the Celtics a quick 13-2 lead. Seriously, Sacramento had the lowest scoring quarter in Summer League history, putting up just 4 points in the first. Four points! That's just wild. Our guy Hugo Gonzalez still managed to snag 4 points for the Celtics in that slow first quarter. But then, things got interesting. Sacramento's offense finally woke up in the second quarter, cutting the lead to 20-17. The Celtics didn't flinch though. They went on a tear in the last 5:45 of the second, racking up 19 points and heading into halftime with a comfortable 39-28 lead. Gonzalez had 12 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists by the break, with John Tonje dropping 10 points and Cenac already making noise with 2 blocks.Cenac, Gonzalez, and a Big Nod to Tonje
We all love talking about Cenac and Gonzalez, and they absolutely earned it, but can we just appreciate John Tonje for a second? He came over for Chris Boucher and a second round pick at the trade deadline, and even though he's still unsigned after the Celtics didn't tender him a qualifying offer, he's playing his heart out in Summer League. This game, Tonje had 18 points on 6/10 shooting, hitting 3/7 from deep. That's efficiency, baby! The Celtics held an 8-point lead at the end of the third, 57-49. Gonzalez kept piling on the stats with 17 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists, while Cenac kept cleaning up the glass and protecting the rim with 8 points, 8 boards, and 2 blocks. Oh, and a little side note from earlier in the day: Milos Uzan and Tucker DeVries, who started the game, both inked Exhibit 10 training camp deals. This means we'll likely see them in the G League, but hey, a foot in the door is a foot in the door! So, what's next? This was the second to last Summer League game. These guys are playing for contracts, for roster spots, for their shot. Every possession counts, every rebound, every assist. Keep an eye out for their final game. These young talents are showing out, and it's exciting to see what's on the horizon for them!This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.