WASHINGTON—
Sam Hauser recorded career highs of 30 points and 10 3-pointers to help the short-handed Boston Celtics beat the Washington Wizards 130-104 on Sunday night.
Jayson Tatum also scored 30 points with six 3-pointers as the NBA-leading Celtics made 24 shots from beyond the arc in a game in which they never trailed despite missing of three holders.
In the first of back-to-back games — with a game against Detroit on Monday — Derrick White (left hand sprain) and Jaylen Brown (right ankle sprain) joined Kristaps Porzingis (right hamstring sprain) among the playing ranks wounded from Boston.
Tatum was also questionable with an ankle issue on Wednesday. Instead, he played in his 31st consecutive game and Hauser made his 16th career start to propel Boston to 81 points before halftime and a lead that grew to 36 points in the third quarter.
Hauser shot 10 for 13 from long range and Boston made 17 for 28 from 3-point range in the first half. The Celtics shot 48% from beyond the arc despite their starters being pulled midway through the third quarter.
Jordan Poole scored 31 points for the NBA-worst Wizards, who were without four starters. Rookie Bilal Coulibaly sat out with a bruised right wrist.
Tatum scored 18 points in the first quarter as the Celtics took a 45-27 first quarter lead. It was the Celtics’ highest-scoring opening period of the season.
Tatum also provided the assists when Hauser tied his previous career high with his sixth 3-pointer with 6:29 left in the second and hit his career high three minutes later.
Hauser made three more 3s to open the second half, the last pushing Boston’s lead to 92-56 with 9:27 left in the third.
FOLLOWING
Celtics: Host Detroit Monday night.
Wizards: Host Houston Tuesday night.
——
APNBA:
