Sam Hauser had a standout performance, achieving career highs of 30 points and 10 three-pointers, leading the undermanned Boston Celtics to a commanding 130-104 road victory over the Washington Wizards on Sunday night.
Hauser was exceptional, hitting 10 of his first 12 three-point attempts before rolling his left ankle during his 13th attempt and leaving the game with 7:43 remaining in the third quarter. Despite Hauser’s exit, Boston’s sharpshooting continued, with the team converting 24 of 50 three-point attempts throughout the game.
This performance by Hauser ties the Celtics’ record for most three-pointers made in a game, previously set by Marcus Smart in 2020 with 11 threes. Jaylen Brown remains the only other Boston player to achieve double-digit three-pointers in a game, accomplishing the feat against Orlando in 2021.
Additionally, Jayson Tatum contributed 30 points, six rebounds, and six assists for the Celtics, who were missing three starters due to injuries—Brown (ankle), Kristaps Porzingis (right hand strain), and Derrick White (hand).
Despite the absence of key players, Boston dominated from the start, shooting an impressive 66.7% from the field in the first quarter and establishing a commanding 45-27 lead. Their sharpshooting continued in the second quarter, where they outscored the Wizards 36-26, extending their lead to 81-53 at halftime.
The Celtics’ remarkable shooting performance included 17 three-pointers in the first half, setting a franchise record. As the game progressed, Boston maintained its dominance, entering the fourth quarter with a substantial 108-78 lead.
In addition to Hauser’s standout performance, Payton Pritchard also made significant contributions, finishing the game with a career-high 13 points. On the Wizards’ side, Jordan Poole led with 31 points, but it wasn’t enough to prevent their fourth consecutive loss and their 20th defeat in their last 22 games.