On a Sunday night in Washington, the Boston Celtics found themselves short of three key 3-point shooters. This is where Sam Hauser stepped up, filling the void by sinking triples as if he was three players rolled into one.
The absence of Jaylen Brown, Kristaps Porzingis, and Derrick White didn’t stop the Celtics from securing a commanding 130-104 victory over the Wizards. This win was largely propelled by Hauser’s remarkable performance.
In his third year, Hauser dazzled by hitting 10 3-pointers, just one short of Marcus Smart’s team record, and racked up a personal best of 30 points. This feat was all the more impressive considering he played less than half the game due to an ankle injury. Hauser’s night took a turn when he injured his left ankle after a 3-point shot attempt and had to leave the game early in the third quarter.
Coach Joe Mazzulla didn’t have immediate updates on Hauser’s x-ray results but was full of praise for what Hauser achieved on the court. “Loved his confidence,” the head coach remarked. He also appreciated Hauser’s aggressive play, the team’s effort to find him, and how seamlessly he fit into their game plan.
Hauser’s performance was nothing short of explosive. After a modest start in the first quarter, he caught fire in the second, making six out of seven attempts, including six straight shots. This made him the fourth player in the team’s history to hit seven 3-pointers in a half, joining the ranks of notable players including Brown and White, who were sidelined, and Kemba Walker.
Remarkably, Hauser set a new NBA record by making at least 10 3-pointers in less than 23 minutes, averaging almost one 3-pointer every two minutes.
Teammate Payton Pritchard, who also had a standout night with 13 assists, wasn’t surprised by Hauser’s performance. He regards Hauser as one of the league’s top shooters, emphasizing the importance of passing him the ball whenever he’s open.
Hauser’s accuracy was on full display, missing only three shots all night, all from the right side. He was perfect from the left, contributing to his hot streak over four games, where he averaged 18.5 points and 5.5 3-pointers.
But Hauser wasn’t the only Celtics player shining from beyond the arc. Jayson Tatum also had a stellar night, making 6-of-12 3-pointers and tying Hauser for the team’s top scoring spot. Their combined effort marked them as the first duo in NBA history to each score at least 30 points in less than 27 minutes.
As a team, the Celtics were formidable from long range, making 24-of-50 3-point attempts. This achievement set a new league record, as they became the first team to hit at least 24 3-pointers in consecutive games, following a 25-of-50 performance against Phoenix.
Had Hauser not been sidelined by his injury, he stood a strong chance of breaking both the team and NBA records for 3-pointers in a game, a record currently held by Klay Thompson with 14.
Pritchard confidently stated, “I actually think he would’ve broken the record tonight. But he’ll get it another night.” This sentiment captures the optimism and high spirits within the Celtics camp, buoyed by Hauser’s historic night and the team’s overall performance.