If you haven’t been paying attention, the Celtics have unearthed a new sharpshooter in Sam Hauser.
During Boston’s 124-113 win over Chicago Saturday night, Hauser drilled seven of his eight three-pointers to continue his recent hot streak that has seen him hit 21 shots from deep over three games.
In the process, Hauser broke Jayson Tatum’s franchise record for most threes over a three-game stretch.
Only 2 players have made more than 20 threes over a 3-game span this season:
Steph Curry
Sam Hauser pic.twitter.com/4M5fOWcwgw— Taylor Snow (@taylorcsnow) March 24, 2024
Hauser has gone 7-of-8, 4-of-11 and 10-of-13 from deep over the hot streak. That’s elite production.
The forward’s emergence as a reliable sharpshooter bodes well for the Celtics, who’ve relied heavily on their ‘six starters’ for the better part of the season, with only Payton Pritchard and Hauser receiving consistent playing time off the bench.
Sam Hauser has made 31 3-pointers over his last 5 road games.
Only 3 other players in NBA history have made more over such a span: Steph Curry, James Harden & Dame Lillard. pic.twitter.com/grTbfLK8O6
— Taylor Snow (@taylorcsnow) March 24, 2024
“I think it’s just a comfort level of knowing that his teammates are looking for him,” Mazzulla said of Hauser’s hot shooting streak, via NBC Sports Boston. “If you look at most of his threes, they’re really good passes and timely passes into his shot, so I think it’s just that comfort level that he knows he’s going to get open and he knows guys are going to see him.”
With 11 games left in the “dog days” of the season, several of the Celtics starters have remained sidelined with injuries or rest, opening the door for Hauser to receive more shots and playing time. Hauser has made the most of his opportunities.
“We live for these moments,” Hauser told reporters. “When some guys are down with an injury, you get a chance to show what you can do on a big stage, and as a competitor, you thrive off that.
“You’re motivated in those types of games to just show what you can do and show to the coaches, ‘If you throw me into a certain game in the playoffs, I’ll be ready to go.'”
Hauser is shooting 43.9 percent from deep this season, which ranks fifth best in the NBA. Since the All-Star break, he’s making an impressive 3.3 threes per game at a league-leading 53.5 percent.