How Sam Hauser became indispensable in the Celtics’ top five
L’hatching Jordan Walsh is one of the great stories of this first part of the season in Boston, but Joe Mazzula finally decided to change his starting five, and it Sam Hauser who has taken his place since winning the game against the Raptors. A choice that allows you to take advantage of the extra shooter to extend the game even further a win against the Pacers, the Celtics coach praised the qualities of his winger.
“At the beginning of the season, we only really used this five in two games, so the sample size was small” recalls Macula. “But they play well together. Our defense has improved and so has our offensive execution. Sam continues to play well on both ends of the floor, defends at a very high level. It allows us to expand the game and be more fluid offensively. We need to be able to use a lot of different fives, but this one is working well so far.”
In fact, the reporter recalled in the press conference that this five with Hauser shows a difference of +20 per 100 possessions. In addition to advanced stats, Hauser is used like a Klay Thompson in the offense, and his movements create gravity to concentrate the defense and thus free up his partners.
“It’s double” answers Mazzulla when asked about Hauser’s effect in the attack. “First, players are looking for him more, which is important. Second, he’s able to create two-on-one situations. That can come from the pick-and-roll, off-ball, double penetration. He’s a threat with his shot, which forces the defense to react. It’s a credit to the players who find him in our system, as well as to him for his ability to play off the ball.”
In January, Hauser doubled his scoring average from December, averaging 14.2 points on nearly 50% 3-point shooting on nine attempts per game! “Again, it’s not just the shooting. It’s his ability to create two-on-ones, to force defenders to overreact. Shooting is important, but screens and spacing are just as important. That helps him, but more importantly it helps the team.” Macula insists.
| Sam Hauser | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saison | The team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | LF | Off | Def | That | Pd | Ft | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2021-22 | BOS | 26 | 6:05 | 46.0 | 43.2 | 0.2 | 0.9 | 1.1 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 2.5 | |
| 2022-23 | BOS | 80 | 16:08 | 45.5 | 41.8 | 70.6 | 0.4 | 2.1 | 2.6 | 0.9 | 1.2 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 6.4 |
| 2023-24 | BOS | 79 | 22:02 | 44.6 | 42.4 | 89.5 | 0.6 | 2.9 | 3.5 | 1.0 | 1.3 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 9.0 |
| 2024-25 | BOS | 71 | 21:42 | 45.1 | 41.6 | 100.0 | 0.6 | 2.5 | 3.2 | 0.9 | 1.2 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 8.5 |
| 2025-26 | BOS | 41 | 22:57 | 40.5 | 39.5 | 90.0 | 0.7 | 3.0 | 3.7 | 1.3 | 1.2 | 0.6 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 8.7 |
How to read statistics? MJ = matches played; Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / attempt 3 points; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive jump; Tot = Total number of jumps; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal mistakes; Int = intercepts; Bp = lost balls; Ct: Against; Points = Points.
2026-01-22 07:36:00
