After Career Night Ends Early, Joe Mazzulla Provides Update on Sam Hauser

A left ankle sprain kept Sam Hauser from setting a Celtics and possibly NBA record for the most made threes in a game. Still, he scored a career-high 30 points.

Scott Taetsch-USA TODAY Sports

The Boston Celtics spent Saint Patrick's Day earning a 130-104 win over the Washington Wizards in the nation's capital.

Despite being the visitors, their fan base was well represented at Capital One Arena, creating an atmosphere that made the game feel more like it took place at TD Garden than away from home. 

The story of Boston's blowout victory, improving its league-leading record to 53-14, is Sam Hauser's performance.

The third-year forward erupted for a career-high 30 points, knocking down 10/13 threes, also establishing a new personal best in that category.

WOWWW 🤯 pic.twitter.com/grwpGKvoiE

— Boston Celtics (@celtics) March 17, 2024

The six-foot-eight sharpshooter was well on his way to breaking Marcus Smart's franchise record of 11 makes from beyond the arc and had his sights set on Klay Thompson's NBA-best 14 triples in one game.

Unfortunately, after one of his attempts early in the third quarter, Hauser stepped on someone's foot on the Wizards' bench, spraining his left ankle. The injury abruptly ended his evening after 23 minutes.

After the win, as captured by CLNS Media, Celtics' head coach Joe Mazzulla said the Wisconsin native had an x-ray and was waiting on the results. 

Boston hosts the Detroit Pistons on Monday. While it seems like a safe bet Hauser doesn't suit up for the second half of this back-to-back, hopefully, he makes a quick and complete recovery.

The C's bench boss also discussed Hauser's performance on a night he became the sixth player this season to make ten threes in a game, joining Keegan Murray, Stephen Curry, Trey Murphy, Karl Anthony-Towns, and Bogdan Bogdanovic.

"Loved his confidence; loved his aggressiveness; loved how guys looked for him, and I love how he got his shots within the flow of our execution, and that's the weapon that he is," voiced Mazzulla. 

"His ability to put two on the ball; his ability to create open shots for himself, and (also) for other people. So, it was fun to watch him shoot 'em (and) it was fun to watch his guys look for him."

Further Reading

Jaylen Brown Shares What's Fueling Career Year: 'Nothing in This World Gonna Break My Spirit'

Jayson Tatum Plays Entire Second Half vs. Suns: 'Don't Really Say That Many Times'

Jaylen Brown's Evolution Crucial to Celtics' Desire to Win with More Than Talent

Celtics Embracing Challenge to Go Beyond Most Talented

Jayson Tatum Opens Up About Sacrificing in Celtics' Title Pursuit: 'It's a Process'

Brad Stevens Discusses Celtics' Plan for Final Roster Spot

Marcus Smart Shares How Boston Shaped Him, His Message to Celtics Fans

Celtics Maturation Molded by Experience: 'It Builds, Like, an Armor'

Jaylen Brown Quieting Doubters, Validating What He Always Believed: 'Earn Everybody's Trust'

Joe Mazzulla Discusses Identity, Evolution of Celtics' Offense: 'Balance of Pace and Execution'