Hauser posts career bests of 30 points, 10 3-pointers as Celtics beat Wizards
Sam Hauser had career highs of 30 points and 10 3-pointers to help the short-handed Boston Celtics beat the Washington Wizards 130-104 on Sunday night.
Jayson Tatum also scored 30 points with six 3-pointers as the NBA-leading Celtics hit 24 shots from beyond the arc in a game in which they never trailed despite missing three starters. Payton Pritchard had 14 points and 13 assists.
“That’s why we have that stay-ready group, frankly, for days like this,” Tatum said of playing less than full strength. “We can just plug in certain guys in certain positions and moments. And the expectation is that we don’t skip a beat.”
In the first of back-to-back games — with a game against Detroit on Monday — Derrick White (left hand sprain) and Jaylen Brown (right ankle sprain) joined Kristaps Porzingis (right hamstring strain) among the ranks of injured Boston players.
Tatum also had been questionable with an ankle issue entering Wednesday. Instead, he played his 31st consecutive game and Hauser made his 16th career start to power Boston to 81 points before halftime and a lead that reached 36 points in the third quarter.
“I loved his confidence, I loved his aggressiveness,” Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said of Hauser. “I loved how guys looked for him. He got his shots within the flow of our execution. And that’s the weapon that he is.”
Hauser shot 10 for 13 from long distance before departing midway through the third with an ankle injury. He was not available postgame.
In the first of back-to-back games — with a game against Detroit on Monday — Derrick White (left hand sprain) and Jaylen Brown (right ankle sprain) joined Kristaps Porzingis (right hamstring strain) among the ranks of injured Boston players.
Tatum also had been questionable with an ankle issue entering Wednesday. Instead, he played his 31st consecutive game and Hauser made his 16th career start to power Boston to 81 points before halftime and a lead that reached 36 points in the third quarter.
“I loved his confidence, I loved his aggressiveness,” Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said of Hauser. “I loved how guys looked for him. He got his shots within the flow of our execution. And that’s the weapon that he is.”
Hauser shot 10 for 13 from long distance before departing midway through the third with an ankle injury. He was not available postgame.
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