The Boston Celtics await their first-round opponent after finishing the regular season second in the Eastern Conference. A season many thought would be a transition year ended up with the Celtics entering the playoffs as one of the title favorites.
The Celtics have a good idea about what to expect from their star trio of Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Derrick White. But which role players can swing games and series in the playoffs?
1. Sam Hauser
Hauser continues to be as reliable as ever. For the first time in his NBA career, he shot below 40 percent from downtown, but he was still an important part of the rotation all season. In Jayson Tatum's absence, Hauser saw an expanded role, averaging career highs in minutes, points, rebounds, assists, and 3-pointers per game, while still hitting 39.3 percent from beyond the arc.
The 28-year-old forward remains the best shooter on the Celtics, allowing them to generate a ton of looks from beyond the arc. The spacing he provides is key for Mazzulla-ball. He can also swing games with his shooting alone.
As a result, the Celtics have consistently been a better offensive team with Hauser on the floor. For the fourth straight season, the Celtics have a better offensive rating when Hauser plays versus when he is on the bench, per Cleaning the Glass. That should earn him a ton of minutes in the playoffs, regardless of the opponent.
2. Hugo Gonzalez
The Spanish rookie already exceeded all expectations in his first season. Few expected him to be a reliable part of the rotation after he was selected with the No. 28 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. From Day 1, Gonzalez has provided an impressive amount of energy and hustle. More importantly, he emerged as a quality defensive option for Joe Mazzulla.
Gonzalez makes winning plays every game. He is an active help defender and forces turnovers. He takes charges. He grabs offensive rebounds. Perhaps most importantly, he constantly creates chaos. And when he is left open, he can hit a 3-pointer. There is a reason he leads this team in on/off rating.
There will be playoff games where Gonzales will swing the momentum with his offensive rebounding and hustle. If he can keep hitting shots, he can even see his role expanding throughout the playoffs. The Celtics will certainly give him a chance as a point-of-attack defender, and if he can survive against solid offenses, he will be a key member of this playoff rotation.
3. Neemias Queta
Last but certainly not least, Neemias Queta will play a huge role for the Celtics in the postseason. Boston needs the Portuguese center to play as many minutes as he can handle, given that he is the best all-around center on the roster.
Behind Queta, Boston has veterans Nikola Vucevic and Luka Garza. While they both have strengths on offense and on the boards, they are unproven defensive players. They lack the defensive versatility, athleticism, and rim protection to anchor a solid defense. Queta is the only center on the roster who can do that for an extended period. So, the more minutes he can play, the better the chances Boston has against elite opponents.
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