Forward Sam Hauser takes a 3-point shot against the Jazz during Boston’s 114-108 win on Monday in Boston. Hauser scored 33 points, including nine 3-pointers. _Charles Krupa/Associated Press_
BOSTON — Sam Hauser started in place of Jayson Tatum and did what he and the Boston Celtics have done all season: shoot a bunch of 3-pointers and make more than their share.
Hauser made a season-high nine 3s, part of [a career-best 33-point night](https://www.pressherald.com/2025/03/10/sam-hauser-scores-33-points-as-celtics-beat-jazz/) in the Celtics’ 114-108 win over the Utah Jazz on Monday. He joined teammates Tatum, Derrick White and Payton Pritchard in having a game with nine 3s or more — the first time four teammates have done that in an NBA season.
Perhaps it was inevitable for a team that shoots an NBA-most 47.5 3s per game and makes 17.7. The Celtics are the only team to attempt more 3-pointers than 2-pointers.
They outdid those averages by making 18 of 53 on Monday night, led by Hauser, who went 9 of 19. Boston was 22 of 40 inside the arc.
“No idea, no idea, but that’s cool,” Hauser said when asked if was aware of he and his teammates’ accomplishment.
Four days earlier, Pritchard made 10 3s in Boston’s 123-105 win over Philadelphia. The day before that, White made nine 3s in a win over Portland. Tatum, who sat out Monday night to manage a right knee issue, made nine 3s against Chicago in December.
Hauser also became the 20th NBA player to make at least seven 3s in a quarter, doing it in the third against the Jazz.
“Running in transition and trying to find a window, these guys were looking for me. I was just trying to make that decision pay off,” Hauser said. “Sometimes when you get in a flow, every shot you take feels like it’s going in.”
Three is more than two — and the Celtics live by that axiom, winning the NBA title last season and sitting comfortably in second place in the Eastern Conference as they seek a repeat.
“It wasn’t like we were going out of our way to get him the ball. He has an innate ability to find the ball and create advantages,” Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said. “The guys did a great job of finding him once he got hot. There’s no shot that he shoots that we think is a bad shot.”
**KRISTAPS PORZINGIS WAS** not on the Celtics bench on Monday night. However, he was on the mind of Mazzulla and many of his teammates after he missed his sixth straight game due to illness.
Porzingis made his first public comments about his condition in the midst of Boston’s win after he was downgraded from doubtful to out before the victory.
“I have been dealing with some viral illness that we haven’t been able to fully identify yet,” Porzingis posted on social media. “I am recovering and getting better. But still working my way back to full strength to help this team. Thanks for support and Im hoping for a healthy return soon.”
Mazzulla responded to Porzingis’ statement Monday with more insight on his condition.
“I think he said it best,” Mazzulla said. “I think at the end of the day, just making sure he’s safe. He’s still able to come in and be around the guys as best he can. Try to stay in the best shape possible. He’s been on the court. He’s doing what he can to get back. But he kind of said it best – at the same time, we’ve just got to kind of make sure he’s good, and we do what’s best for him.”
Porzingis’ teammates also struck optimistic tones when speaking about the big man’s recovery after Monday’s win
“He’s been around, he’s doing better,” Hauser said. “Hopefully, we can see him Wednesday. If not, hopefully, next game after that. Just hoping he’s doing all right. I think he is. He looks like he’s coming around, so that’s exciting for us.”
Porzingis has missed seven of Boston’s last eight games overall dating back to a win over the Raptors on February 25.
“I know it’s difficult for him not to be out there playing with us and he’s doing everything he can to get back,” White said. “He knows we always got his back and we know he’s doing everything he needs to do to get back and try to figure out what’s going on. When he comes back, it’ll be great to have him.”