When Sam Hauser was forced out of the Wizards game earlier in the week, he just missed out on a chance to potentially set a new Celtics franchise record. He was sitting at 10 3-pointers made, just one short of Marcus Smart’s 11 made 3s from 2020, but Hauser had to leave early because of a sprained ankle.
As a small consolation prize, though, Hauser still set a new Celtics record this week. Per NBC Sports Boston’s Dick Lipe, Hauser set a new franchise record for most 3-pointers made in a three-game span with 20 makes. Jayson Tatum previously held the record from January, so Hauser beat a more-recent mark. Still, that’s a great showing from the reserve sharpshooter.
“Teammates are finding me when I’m open,” Hauser said, via NBC Sports Boston. “Trying to get into windows and try to set myself up for success, as well. And being a little more aggressive coming off screens, running behind a guy in transition for him to flip it back. Things like that. Just trying to find my place and be a star in that role.”
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Hauser was a key part of the Celtics’ win over the Bulls on Saturday as they pulled away for the win. He poured in 23 points and five rebounds as he got the start with multiple rotation players sitting the game. Hauser shot a whopping 7-for-8 from 3-point land as the shots have been going in consistently.
Last season, in Hauser’s first time as part of the C’s rotation, he had an extended shooting slump over multiple months of the year. But this season, Hauser hasn’t had that issue as he’s never dipped under 39.7% from deep over the course of a full month. That’s progress and consistency — exactly what the Celtics are looking for out of their wing off the bench.
Hauser said he’s not 100% yet on his ankle, but he’s feeling well enough to play in the back-to-back in Detroit and Chicago. Hauser has now scored in double-figures in five of the last six games. In March, Hauser is averaging 12.5 points per game on a blistering 51.3% from 3-point land.
With the Celtics all but securing the No. 1 seed in the East soon for home-court advantage, the reserves have been getting more playing time. That includes Hauser, who has made the most of his opportunities thus far, even if he did have to leave the Wizards game a little early. But with the playoffs so soon, Hauser said he’s also trying to make an impact to prove to the coaches he can be relied upon.
“A lot of these guys, we live for these moments,” Hauser said. “When some guys are down with an injury, you get a chance to show what you can do on a big stage. As a competitor, you thrive for that. You’re motivated in those types of games to just show what you can do, and show to coaches like if you throw me in a certain game in the playoffs, I’ll be ready to go.”
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