On Sunday night, Sam Hauser of the Celtics pursued NBA history in the nation’s capital, preserving the team amid their fifth consecutive win and averting a potential injury crisis.
Despite missing key players Jaylen Brown, Kristaps Porzingis, and Derrick White, the Celtics persevered. Coach Joe Mazzulla entrusted Hauser with a starting role for the eighth time this season.
The 26-year-old shooter swiftly made his mark, stepping up admirably in the absence of Boston’s usual starters.
However, Hauser’s standout performance almost ended in disaster as he grappled with a left ankle injury, raising concerns of a prolonged absence from the Celtics’ lineup. Fortunately, the injury won’t burden Boston moving forward.
“According to a league source, X-rays on Celtics forward Sam Hauser’s left ankle were negative and he avoided serious injury when he stepped on the foot of a Wizards player early in the third quarter,” The Boston Globe’s Adam Himmelsbach reported Monday.
Hauser’s impressive performance saw him rack up 21 points in the first half against Washington, hitting 7-of-9 from beyond the arc.
Teaming up with Jayson Tatum, they became the co-stars of the game. His remarkable shooting display nearly matched Klay Thompson’s NBA-record 14 threes in a single game.
Unfortunately, with 7:43 remaining in the third quarter, Hauser exited the game due to the injury, thwarting his chance at making history.
Despite the setback, the Celtics secured a commanding 130-104 victory over the Wizards, maintaining their NBA-best record at 53-14.
Celtics teammates rallied behind Hauser’s pursuit of history.
“Pretty impressive and the most impressive to me was that everything was within the flow,” Al Horford told reporters, per CLNS Media.
“You know it wasn’t like he was hunting the shots or anything like that. We just played our game and guys were mindful when he was there, you get him the ball but it was just playing so it was impressive to see.”
With just 15 games remaining before the playoffs, Hauser’s injury update comes as a relief for the Celtics, who rely on their depth as they gear up for the pursuit of Banner 18.