Sam Hauser excels in bigger role vs. Cavaliers

With Derrick White and Jaylen Brown out, the second unit swingman took advantage of more minutes.

After holding a 12-point lead going into the 4th quarter, the Celtics ultimately fell short in their rematch with the Cleveland Cavaliers who are still the #1 ranked team in the NBA. While the fashion in which Boston lost was certainly disappointing, the outcome wasn’t necessarily unexpected coming into the night. The Celtics were down two of their top four players, with Jaylen Brown being sidelined due to a non-COVID illness and Derrick White with a foot sprain.

One big reason this game felt within reach was due to the contributions of Sam Hauser, who received the start in place of White. Hauser played the 3^rd most minutes of anyone in the game at 36:04, only behind Tatum at 37:48 and Pritchard at 36:07. Sam likely would have surpassed Pritchard as well if it weren’t for him fouling out with just 15 seconds left.

Sam gave his last two fouls within 7 seconds of game time of each other in an effort to extend the game. After receiving his sixth, he was visibly a bit frustrated, probably because he was giving his all throughout the entire game and wanted a chance to help the team close it out. At that point, Payton Pritchard had just hit a three to bring the Cavaliers’ lead down to 1. With another foul, the Celtics would have had a chance to tie or take the lead depending on how many free throws Cleveland hit.

With the way Hauser had been shooting, he would have been a top candidate to take that deciding shot on the Celtics’ next possession had he not been forced to sit. Ultimately, Darius Garland sunk both free-throws, and Kenny Atkinson had his team turn to the foul game as well to prevent the Celtics from potentially tying the game, resulting in a 4-point Cleveland win.

Boston losing this game may have overshadowed Sam’s performance, but he quietly filled out the stat sheet. He ended the game with 13 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, and 3 steals on 5-8 shooting, 3-6 from three. His 3 steals were tied for a game-high with Porzingis, and each one gave the Celtics a big push. So much so that Sam was second on the team in terms of +/- at +3, only behind Al Horford who was a +6.

Hauser probably would have earned himself a few Tommy Points as well, tied or leading the team in several hustle stats as well. According to NBA tracking data, Sam lead both teams in deflections at 5, the next highest total being 2 by a number of players across both teams. He also had 2 recovered loose balls, tied for the most on both teams with several players. He and Kornet also contested the second most shots for the Celtics, only behind Porzingis.

Sam stepped up when his name was called, and it seems as though his journey to the NBA has instilled him with a real winning mentality. From being undrafted and working his way through the G-League to ultimately being a key-rotational player for a championship team, Sam gives his all every night. He’s often targeted on defense, but teams haven’t yet caught on to the fact that Hauser doesn’t back away from a challenge, and often turns it in his favor.

Similarly, he’s been having a down shooting year so far, but that seems to only fuel his effort levels throughout each game. He never passes up an open shot or loses confidence. He doesn’t take possessions off when he doesn’t get the ball either, setting screens, spreading the floor, and crashing the offensive glass from the corners nearly every time a shot goes up. Like he did tonight, he fights to keep possessions alive, and gives his full effort on defense no matter the outcome.

Despite signing a new contract extension this past offseason, he’s not satisfied, and he never gives anything less than 100%. He was a huge determining factor in Boston’s success last year, and he likely will be again this year. Sam Hauser is a winning player – plain and simple. He wouldn’t have gotten this far if he wasn’t. His performance last night only further reinforced that.