Celtics Duo Becomes Unlikely Tandem to Make NBA History

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Sam Hauser and Jayson Tatum.

There was not much doubt about the outcome of the Boston Celtics match against the Wizards of Washington on Sunday March 17. Despite playing without three starters, the Celtics achieved a Victory 130-104 en route to a fifth consecutive victory.

The Celtics took a 45-27 lead after one quarter and never looked back. Although the outcome was never in question, there were some exciting moments that led to Jayson Tatum And Sam Hauser come together to make NBA history.

Jayson Tatum and Sam Hauser make NBA history with Celtics victory

You would never know the Celtics were shorthanded against the Wizards. Boston continued to follow Washington’s next-man-up game plan with starters Jaylen Brown, Kristaps Porzingis, And Derrick White all sitting outside on Sunday.

Hauser, Oshae Brissett and Al Horford right in the starting lineup, and the Celtics didn’t miss a beat. Boston improved its NBA record to 53-14.

Of the three, Hauser did most of the damage. The sharp-shooting forward scored a career-high 30 points on a career-high 10 3-pointers. Hauser went 10 for 13 from the floor in 23 minutes. All 13 of his attempts were from long range. He also added six rebounds.

Tatum wasn’t as effective as Hauser from 3-point land, but he still had a good night. He shot 50 percent from beyond the arc (6 of 12) and made 8 of 17 from the floor. He also had 30 points and six rebounds. Tatum also had six assists. He played 27 minutes.

According to Taylor Snow, Hauser and Tatum, the Celtics’ in-house senior writer, are the first duo in NBA history to each score at least 30 points in the same game and play fewer than 27 minutes.

Hauser’s night ended early with an ankle injury

Hauser knocked down seven of his 3-pointers before halftime as the Celtics took an 81-53 lead into the locker room. He drained three more in the second half, his last giving the Celtics a 92-56 lead with 9:27 left in the third quarter.

Hauser left the game midway through the third quarter after landing awkwardly after taking his final shot of the game in front of the Wizards bench. He landed well after shooting, but when he went to collect himself and come back down the court, he twisted his ankle, apparently from stepping on one of the members of the Washington bench.

Hauser was not immediately available for comment after the game, but Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla said he believed Hauser was receiving “precautionary” x-rays.

“I did not hear anything” Mazzulla said after the match. “I heard he’s getting an x-ray, so we’ll find out.” It was a warning x-ray, that’s what they said.

Mazzulla loved Hauser’s confidence and the way his team continued to feed the hot hand.

“ “I loved his confidence, I loved his aggression, I loved the way the guys were looking for him, and I love the way he made his shots in the flow of our execution,” said Mazzulla. “That’s the weapon he is. His ability to put two on the ball, his ability to create open shots. It was fun to see him shoot them. It was fun to see these guys look for it.

Mike Thomas is a veteran sports reporter who covers the NBA for Heavy.com, with a particular focus on the Boston Celtics. He previously worked as an NBA and NFL writer for Sportscasting and was a sports editor for The Herald News in Fall River, Massachusetts for 16 years. Learn more about Mike Thomas