Wing depth was supposed to be a major question mark for the Celtics entering the 2025-26 season. The absence of Jayson Tatum was already going to create a major void, but inexperienced talent left many wondering what this group would look like on a night-to-night basis whenever Jaylen Brown and Boston’s guards were on the bench.
The early returns on Boston’s young talent, however, have been a pleasant surprise through December. Josh Minott, Jordan Walsh, Baylor Scheierman and Hugo Gonzalez have all had standout stretches in various part of the season, earning consistent opportunities in Joe Mazzulla’s rotation.
The emergence of those players had left top wing reserve Sam Hauser as a bit of an afterthought over the first month of the year. Hauser dealt with a slump in November (27 percent from 3), leading to bigger chances for Boston’s more defensive-minded options at the forward spot.
However, Hauser has returned to form this month, capped off by a season-high 23 points in Boston’s 140-122 win over the Pacers on Friday night. The 28-year-old went 7-of-8 from 3-point range in the win and lifted his accuracy mark to 45.8 percent from 3-point range in December.
“You make your first couple and it’s like human nature, they’re going to try to find me a little more,” Hauser told reporters Friday night via NBC Sports Boston. “But credit to them, I wouldn’t be able to get all these open shots if it wasn’t for \[Jaylen\] drawing all this attention, getting to the lane, making the right read, Payton, the same thing and White. It’s really more credit to them, finding me and getting me the ball when I am open.”
It’s no coincidence that Boston has gone 8-2 in that stretch as Hauser has rounded into form.
“It’s great when he’s making shots but it’s even better when we find him,” Joe Mazzulla told reporters in Indiana Friday night. “I thought tonight we did a great job of hunting for him. It’s always great to see him make them but it’s great for us to be able to find him within the rhythm and flow of our offense because it unlocks the stuff that we do.”
With Hauser (41.5 percent career from 3-point range) looking more like his sharpshooting self, Boston’s offense has risen to new heights in December. The team now sits second in the NBA in offensive efficiency and ranks eighth in 3-point shooting accuracy (36.7 percent) after starting the season in the bottom half of the league.
With nine different players shooting 35 percent or better from 3-point range this season, opponents are having to respect all of Celtics’ wings, giving Hauser a greater look for opportunity within Boston’s new roster.