Many fans thought the Boston Celtics would tank due to Jayson Tatum’s absence as he recovers from an Achilles rupture. But that hasn’t been the case. The emergence of role players such as Sam Hauser has kept Boston in the hunt for their 19th NBA championship.
The fifth-year forward, in particular, made headlines after Boston’s blowout victory against the Atlanta Hawks, dropping 30 points built on 10 three-pointers.
“Everything you put up, it just feels like it’s going to go in… And that’s just kind of how it was tonight,” Hauser told reporters postgame.
Hauser Nearly Makes History
Hauser finished one three short of tying the Celtics’ all-time record for threes made in a single game, which was previously held by Marcus Smart after dropping 11 against the Phoenix Suns in 2020.
Despite an astonishing performance, another thing stood out in Hauser’s statline: He did not attempt a single two-pointer.
His 21 attempts from long range without a two-point attempt were the most in a single game in NBA history.
Banner 19 in Sight?
So far this season, the 6-foot-7 forward is shooting 39% from long range. He has never shot below 40% in his career so far, and this consistent shooting has no doubt solidified the Celtics’ wing depth even sans Tatum.
Logging around 22 minutes per contest, he averages 8.6 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.3 assists.
The Celtics now hold a 26-15 record and are the second seed in the Eastern Conference. As key role players such as Hauser continue to light up Boston’s second unit, another title run might be imminent—especially with the aforementioned Tatum reportedly eyeing a late-season return.
