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. Payton Pritchard had 14 points and 13 assists.
“That’s why we have this group that stays ready, frankly, for days like this,” Tatum said of his play below full strength. “We can just plug in certain guys at certain positions and at certain times. And we expect that we won’t do that. I’m not skipping a beat.
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 doubtful due to an ankle issue 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.
“I loved his confidence, I loved his aggression,” Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said of Hauser. “I loved the way the guys were looking for him. He received his shots during our execution. And that’s the weapon he is.
Hauser shot 10 for 13 from long range before leaving midway through the third with an ankle injury. He was unavailable after the match.
“I didn’t hear anything,” Mazzulla said. “I know he was getting an x-ray after the game, so we’ll find out. I think they were precautionary x-rays.
Boston went 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 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 passed it 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.
Before his release, his teammates wanted him to aim for the Celtics record of 11 made 3s, held by Marcus Smart, and the all-time NBA record of 14 made 3s set by Klay Thompson.
“I know Klay did it and it was pretty impressive,” Celtics forward Al Horford said. “We shooters know these records. … We are very aware of it and we were shooting for Sam.”
FOLLOWING
Celtics: Host Detroit Monday night.
Wizards: Host Houston Tuesday night.
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