Early in the season, Sam Hauser looked like a shell of the player Celtics fans had come to rely on. The sharpshooter who built his reputation on smooth mechanics and elite efficiency couldn’t buy a bucket.
Shots that usually felt automatic were clanging off the rim, and the numbers told the story: 31 percent from the field and just 27.5 percent from three-point range in November. For a player who prides himself on being a consistent weapon, it was a rough stretch.
But Hauser didn’t panic-he recalibrated.
In December, the tide started to turn. His shooting ticked up to 39 percent from the field and a much healthier 40.8 percent from beyond the arc.
Still not peak Hauser, but the rhythm was coming back. Then came January, and with it, a full-blown resurgence.
Through this month, Hauser is connecting on 50.4 percent of his shots overall and a blistering 47.2 percent from deep. He’s putting up 14.1 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2 assists, and nearly a steal per game.
That’s not just a bounce-back-that’s a breakout.
Sure, dropping 10 threes in a single game will give the averages a boost, but that’s the thing with Hauser: when he’s hot, he’s scorching. And lately, he’s been locked in.
As Hauser has found his groove, the Celtics have found theirs. His rise has mirrored the team’s surge, and that’s not just a coincidence.
He’s often a barometer for how Boston is shooting as a whole. His confidence is contagious, and when he’s letting it fly, the Celtics’ offense opens up in ways that are tough to defend.
The numbers back it up: Boston is 15-3 when Hauser hits at least three triples, and just 14-14 when he knocks down two or fewer. That’s a swing that says a lot about his impact.
But Hauser’s game isn’t one-dimensional. Yes, the three-point shot is his calling card, but he’s become much more than just a floor spacer.
Even when he’s not the one taking the shot, his presence warps defenses. The Celtics often use him as a screener before he flares out to the wing, forcing defenses into a pick-your-poison scenario.
Focus on Hauser, and the ball-handler gets a clean look. Collapse on the drive, and Hauser’s left wide open.
Try to cover both? That usually leaves the big man free for an easy finish.
Just being on the floor, Hauser creates chaos for opposing defenses.
He’s also grown as a decision-maker. When defenders close out hard, he doesn’t panic.
He’ll catch and shoot, relocate and shoot, or use a pump fake to drive and either finish or find the open man. That kind of poise under pressure isn’t easy to teach-it comes from reps, confidence, and understanding the flow of the offense.
Teams still have to respect his jumper above all else, but now they’re learning he can hurt them in other ways, too.
And then there’s the defense-something Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla never fails to highlight. Hauser’s not the most physically imposing defender, but he’s smart, disciplined, and always in the right spot.
He’s often tasked with guarding players who are bigger, faster, or more athletic, but he holds his own with anticipation and effort. He’s not just surviving on that end-he’s contributing.
Ask Hauser about the early-season slump and he’ll probably still grimace. That cold stretch clearly stuck with him.
But if anything, it makes this turnaround even more impressive. He didn’t just recover-he elevated.
This is the version of Sam Hauser the Celtics believed in, and now he’s showing why.
When Boston’s rolling, there’s a good chance Hauser is, too. And right now, both are firing on all cylinders. If this keeps up, the Celtics aren’t just dangerous-they’re downright scary.