Hugo González shows he can handle bigger role in Celtics’ summer league win over Kings

LAS VEGAS — After a pair of uneven games and then a day off, Hugo González delivered the type of performance expected from a second-year summer league player.

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González led Boston with 24 points, plus 10 rebounds and five assists, in its 82-76 win over the Kings at Thomas & Mack Center.

The swingman was 8-for-18 shooting, including three 3-pointers, and he made all three of his free throw attempts. It had been a rough beginning for González, expected to make a major step forward in his second season.

“I’m trying to see what everybody else does, the people around me that make them great,” he said. “I’m just trying to take that example and pattern myself, when I need to apply it, summer league or whatever.”

Summer league coach Amile Jefferson said he is pleased with the way González is managing the added responsibility. He’s the most experienced NBA player on the team despite being just 20 years old.

“Obviously we’re asking him to be himself in a bigger role, but we’re not asking him to do anything that I don’t think he can do every time he steps on the floor,” Jefferson said. “That’s pressure the ball, be a playmaker. That’s crash [the boards] every time. When he’s open, shoot it. Move the ball and screen. That’s what we’re going to ask him to do with the Celtics, too.”

Undrafted guard Milos Uzan, on a training camp contract, is trying to soak up the experience and show he is capable of playing point guard at the next level. Uzan started all 77 games in his final two seasons at the University of Houston and is competing for one of the final two two-way contract spots.

Center Amari Williams signed a two-way this month, while second-round pick Dillon Mitchell could be a favorite for one as well.

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“It’s a great opportunity,” he said. “I feel like I’m a pretty good point guard and that’s what they needed, on the summer league team as well, and I feel like I’ve got a good shot and a good opportunity here and I’m just trying to make the most of it.”

The Celtics jumped out to a 13-2 lead and improved to 3-1 with a coast-to-coast win. The game became intriguing late when former UConn standout Alex Karaban hit a pair of 3-pointers to help Sacramento cut a 14-point deficit to 6. He added a third to cut the Celtics’ lead to 77-75 with 54 seconds left before Uzan countered with a layup.

John Tonje continued his strong summer league with 18 points, while Uzan added 13 and seven rebounds. Rookie Chris Cenac Jr. scored 10 points to go with 12 rebounds. Karaban led the Kings with 21 points, while Emanuel Sharp, a college teammate of Uzan and Cenac, added 12.

▪ González and Williams returned to the lineup after not playing in Monday’s loss to the Hawks. Jefferson said he had hoped they would return, and the front office decided both could use extensive action in one more game. Mitchell got Wednesday off after three solid games.

▪ Jefferson acknowledged the club was trying to score until the final buzzer to increase point differential, hence a Tonje halfcourt heave in the final seconds. Boston had a chance to reach the summer finals if it won by approximately 20 points. Only two undefeated teams remain — the Hawks and Lakers — and the Celtics finished with the fourth-best record after Wednesday. They are expected to play their final game Saturday.

▪ Williams did not have a standout statistical game, but Jefferson allowed him to run the offense in stretches, using his passing ability to create scoring opportunities. Passing is the 7-footer’s best skill and one of the reasons the Celtics are intrigued by his potential.

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