Sam Hauser avoids serious injury following near-historic night
The Celtics forward went 10-for-13 from the 3-point line before exiting the game with an ankle sprain.
Sam Hauser was just one 3-pointer away from matching Marcus Smart’s franchise record for the most three pointers scored in a single game (11) Sunday night when his near-historic night was cut short by an ankle injury.
The Celtics forward received X-rays following his third-quarter exit, which coach Joe Mazzulla referred to as a “precautionary measure.” The scans appeared negative, according to the Globe’s Adam Himmelsbach, with Hauser avoiding serious injury during the 130-104 win over Washington.
Hauser had gone 10 for 13 from the line by the beginning of the third quarter. But with 7 minutes and 53 seconds still left on the clock, Hauser stepped on the foot of an opponent and twisted his ankle.
Boston kicks off the week with back-to-back games, facing off against the Pistons Monday night. Hauser’s status for the home game remains unclear, however he is not expected to be sidelined for an extended period.
The third-year Celtic, who was just four triples away from tying Klay Thompson for the single-game NBA record (14), has hit his stride down the stretch. On a night without three starters (Jaylen Brown, Kristaps Porzingis, Derrick White), Hauser proved himself to be not only a capable rotational piece, but a stellar one.
“He had such good rhythm,” Al Horford said after the game. “It was pretty cool to see.”
Over the last five games Hauser has averaged 15.4 points, nearly double his 2023-24 season average (8.4). He’s continuing to see more minutes and last night’s performance proved why Boston should utilize the sharp-shooter as they head to the postseason.
Coach Joe Mazzulla was impressed with the former undrafted free agent, praising his confidence and aggressiveness.
“I love how he got his shots within the flow of our execution,” Mazzulla said per CLNS Boston. “And that’s the weapon that he is, his ability to just put two on the ball, his ability to create open shots for himself and for other people, so it was fun to watch him shoot him. It was fun to watch his guys look for him.”
The Celtics face off against the Pistons at the TD Garden at 7:30 p.m. Monday.
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