Sam Hauser Is Heating Up at the Right Time for the Celtics
Sam Hauser’s jumper has officially come back to life - and it couldn’t be happening at a better time for the Boston Celtics.
After a rocky start to the season from beyond the arc, the fifth-year forward has found his rhythm in January, and the numbers aren’t just good - they’re eye-opening. Hauser went 6-of-8 from the field and knocked down 5-of-7 from deep in Wednesday night’s 119-104 win over the Indiana Pacers, a rematch of last year’s Eastern Conference Finals. That performance was just the latest in a hot stretch that’s turning heads across the league.
Let’s put it in perspective: Hauser has now hit multiple threes in every game this month - 10 straight - and is shooting a blistering 48.2% from long range in January (41-of-85). That puts him second in the league for made threes this month, trailing only Trey Murphy III by a single make. That’s elite company, and it’s a massive boost for a Celtics team that’s navigating some serious adversity.
“He’s been huge for us,” Jaylen Brown said after the win. “That’s a great sign for our team.”
And he’s not just hitting shots - he’s impacting the game in other ways, too. Against Indiana, Hauser added six rebounds and three assists to his 17-point night. He’s showing more confidence with the ball in his hands, more awareness on the defensive end, and a willingness to step into bigger minutes with some key names sidelined.
From Role Player to Reliable Scorer
Hauser’s role has grown steadily since he arrived in Boston as an undrafted free agent out of Virginia. Now in his fifth season, he’s become a trusted part of the Celtics’ rotation - a floor-spacing forward who can catch fire in a hurry.
He’s averaging 8.9 points per game on the season, but over his last 10 games, that number jumps to 14.4. He’s scored in double figures in four of his last five outings, including a career-high 30-point explosion against the Hawks on Jan.
This isn’t just a hot streak - it’s a player coming into his own. And for a team that’s been forced to adjust on the fly this season, that growth matters.
Celtics Staying the Course Despite Injuries
The Celtics are 27-16, sitting in second place in the Eastern Conference, and they’ve done it without Jayson Tatum, who’s still recovering from the Achilles injury he suffered in last year’s playoffs. It’s a testament to the team’s depth, resilience, and the emergence of players like Hauser stepping up when it matters most.
Boston’s roster has seen significant turnover since their championship run in 2023-24, with Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis both moved in offseason trades. But even with those changes - and Tatum on the shelf - the Celtics have kept pace in the East. They’re currently 5.5 games behind the first-place Pistons and 1.5 games ahead of both the Knicks and Raptors, who are tied for third.
And while Tatum’s return timeline remains uncertain, the Celtics are proving they can stay in the hunt without him - thanks in part to the kind of production Hauser is bringing off the bench.
What’s Next
Boston hits the road again Friday night for a matchup with the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center. The Nets are struggling at 12-30 overall and 6-16 at home, while the Celtics have been solid away from TD Garden, going 14-9 on the road this season.
Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on NBC Sports Boston.
If Hauser keeps shooting like this, defenses will have to start treating him like more than just a role player. Because right now, he’s playing like someone who could swing a playoff game - or two - come spring.