Sam Hauser, Hugo Gonzales, Neemias Queta are 3 X-factors for the Boston Celtics to win games in the 2025/2026 NBA playoffs.

progresifjaya.co.id, JAKARTA – The Boston Celtics face the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round of the playoffs after finishing second in the Eastern Conference in the regular season. This season is considered by many to be a transitional year, with the Boston Celtics finally entering the playoffs as a title favorite.

The Boston Celtics have a clear picture of what to expect from their star trio of Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Derrick White. But which supporting players can change the course of a playoff game?

In this narrative, the author discusses three X-factors that could change the course of a playoff game for the Boston Celtics. It begins with the match against the Philadelphia 76ers at TD Garden in Boston on Sunday, April 19, 2026, US time. Here’s the review:

1 Sam Hauser

Sam Hauser remains as reliable as ever. The player with jersey number 30 has shot just under 40 percent from three-point range throughout his NBA career. But he remained a key part of the rotation throughout the season.

In the absence of superstar Jayson Tatum, Sam Hauser had the opportunity to gain a larger role. He recorded career-highs in minutes played, points, rebounds, assists, and three-point shooting per game, averaging 39.3 percent from beyond the arc.

The 28-year-old forward also remains the Boston Celtics’ best shooter, enabling the rest of the field to create numerous shooting opportunities from beyond the arc. His spacing is crucial to the Mazzulla-ball style of play. He can also change the course of a game with his shooting ability alone.

Thanks to him, the Boston Celtics have consistently been a better offensive team when he’s on the court. For the fourth straight season, the Boston Celtics have a better offensive rating when Hauser plays than when he’s on the bench, according to Cleaning the Glass. This should give Hauser plenty of minutes in the playoffs, regardless of the opponent.

2 Hugo Gonzalez

The Spanish rookie has exceeded all expectations in his first season. Few expected him to become a reliable part of the rotation after being selected 28th overall in the 2025 NBA Draft. From day one, Gonzalez has provided impressive energy and hard work. More importantly, he has also emerged as a quality defensive option for Joe Mazzulla.

Gonzalez consistently creates scoring opportunities in every game. He’s a lively defender who helps out on defense and forces turnovers. He takes fouls. He grabs offensive rebounds. Perhaps most importantly, he consistently creates chaos. And when left unguarded, he can hit three-pointers. There’s a reason he leads this team in on/off rating.

There will certainly be playoff games where Gonzalez can shift momentum with his offensive rebounding and hard work. If he can continue his scoring streak, his role will expand throughout the playoffs. The Boston Celtics will certainly give him a chance as a point-of-attack defender, and if he can defend against a solid offense, he will be a key member of this playoff rotation.

3 Neemias Queta

Last, but not least, is Neemias Queta. The 7-foot-10 Portuguese star will play a significant role for the Boston Celtics in the playoffs. The Celtics need the center, who wears jersey number 88, to play as many minutes as possible, considering he’s the team’s best all-around center.

Behind Queta, the Boston Celtics have veterans Nikola Vucevic and Luka Garza. While both possess strengths in offense and rebounding, they are unproven defenders. They lack the diverse defensive skills, athleticism, and rim protection to anchor a solid defense. Queta, on the other hand, is the only center on the Boston Celtics team capable of doing that for an extended period.

So, the more minutes he can get, the greater the Boston Celtics’ chances of winning against elite teams in the playoffs.

Writer/Editor: Bembo