​The Celtics are off to a strong start in the 2026 NBA Summer League, posting two consecutive victories as their latest draft selections begin to show real potential on both ends of the floor. Early performances in Las Vegas hint that Boston’s future could be exceptionally bright if these developments hold up, even if the games themselves aren’t always pretty offensively.
Two 2026 draft picks, Chris Cenac Jr. and Dillon Mitchell, along with second-year guard Hugo Gonzalez, have been at the forefront of the Celtics’ youthful surge. In their opener, Boston edged the Raptors 83-80 in overtime, then followed with an 87-75 win over the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday night. While the box scores highlight solid stat lines, the bigger takeaway is the growth area these players are displaying and the maturity they’re showing on both ends.
Mitchell, a second-round pick, turned in a standout performance against Charlotte with 24 points, eight rebounds, and six steals, underscoring his ability to impact the game in multiple ways. Cenac Jr. posted a 14-point, 10-rebound double-double against Toronto while also adding four blocks, signaling his versatility and length around the rim. Gonzalez, in his continued development as a creator and facilitator, flirted with a triple-double against the Raptors, finishing with 17 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists. His scoring efficiency remains a work in progress, but the all-around contributions are encouraging for a young guard who is still adjusting to the pace of the pro game.
Beyond the top picks, the Celtics are also getting meaningful minutes from players on two-way contracts who are seizing opportunities. John Tonje delivered 20 points in the season opener and followed with 17 against the Hornets, showing he can provide scoring punch when called upon. Amari Williams had a striking 23-point, 13-rebound double-double versus Toronto, illustrating his potential as a high-energy contributor who can stretch the floor and crash the boards.
What should excite Celtics fans most isn’t merely the unblemished 2-0 record, but the way these wins have been earned. In both outings, Boston faced teams with more NBA experience and fought through those advantages with disciplined execution and competitive hustle. The late-game resistance against Charlotte, in particular, demonstrated the young Celtics’ ability to lock in on defense and execute in crunch time, qualities that translate well to a championship-caliber mindset.
These early signs matter because the ultimate objective for a franchise rebuilding around a youth movement is to identify players who can reliably contribute off the bench in Joe Mazzulla’s system. If Cenac Jr., Mitchell, Gonzalez, and the supporting two-way players continue to show growth—particularly in shot creation, decision-making, and defensive versatility—the Celtics could emerge from this Summer League experience with a clearer sense of which pieces fit into their long-term rotation.
As the summer league progresses, the emphasis remains on evaluating potential role players who can complement Boston’s core and push the team toward sustained success in the regular season. With Cenac Jr., Mitchell, Gonzalez, and the developing depth pieces continuing to make positive impressions, the Celtics’ youth movement is evolving from a hopeful concept into a tangible blueprint for the near future.