The Celtics have received positive news regarding the ankle injury suffered by their key reserve player.
The Celtics received a scare on Sunday night as Sam Hauser, a crucial bench player, suffered a sprained ankle during the third quarter of their decisive victory against the Wizards.
However, a league source confirmed on Monday that X-rays on Hauser’s ankle were negative, and he is not expected to be sidelined for an extended period. Adam Himmelsbach of the Boston Globe was the first to report Hauser’s X-ray results, providing assurance regarding the severity of his injury.
During the Celtics’ game against the Wizards on Sunday, Hauser exited the match with 7:43 left in the third quarter, coinciding with his outstanding shooting performance that evening.
As he made his 13th 3-point shot attempt and ran back up the floor, the third-year forward injured his ankle. Consequently, he was promptly substituted and made his way to the locker room. Shortly after, the team ruled him out for the remainder of the game.
Despite his early departure due to injury, Hauser managed to achieve a significant feat in NBA history by hitting 10 3-pointers in just 23 minutes during the Celtics’ victory. He even seemed poised to challenge Klay Thompson’s record of 14 3-pointers in a game before his injury occurred.
Initially, the concern was focused on Hauser’s long-term recovery and outlook. As a key reserve player for coach Joe Mazzulla, Hauser has been shooting an impressive 43 percent from beyond the arc this season, showcasing his valuable skill set.
A prolonged absence would have posed challenges for Boston’s bench, as there is no replacement shooter currently available who can replicate Hauser’s abilities.
Fortunately, it seems that Hauser will have ample time to recover before the postseason begins. His coach was full of admiration for his performance before the ankle injury occurred on Sunday night.
“Yeah, it was great,” Mazzulla said. “I loved his confidence, loved his aggressiveness, loved how guys look for him and I love how he got his shots within the flow of our execution.
And that’s the weapon that he is, his ability to just put two on the ball, his ability to create open shots for himself and for other people, so it was fun to watch him shoot him. It was fun to watch his guys look for him.”
Mazzulla and the team are expected to provide further updates on Hauser’s condition as they prepare for their upcoming game against the Pistons at TD Garden on Monday night.