Hugo Gonzalez didn’t have to wait long Friday for his NBA debut as the Celtics faced the Knicks at Madison Square Garden. C’s coach Joe Mazzulla called the rookie’s number midway through the first quarter.

Gonzalez looked the part immediately with his infectious defense and athleticism. And with the Celtics trying to erase a 20-point halftime deficit, Mazzulla used Gonzalez consistently in the second half. It was clear to everyone watching the game: the rookie can hoop. So while the Celtics lost 105-95 to the Knicks , Gonzalez changes the team’s outlook going forward as a bright spot.

“Felt good,” Gonzalez told reporters in New York, via the NBC Sports Boston broadcast. “Stepping on the floor was good. But still, I’m not having a great memory of this day because we lost the game tha

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