Sam Hauser

Upon entering the Boston Celtics’ locker room after producing one of franchise history’s greatest shooting displays, Sam Hauser seemed to recognize the need to move quickly as teammates circled in, prepared to douse him with celebratory water cups. Given the Utah Jazz’s unsuccessful attempts at cooling him just moments before, one might argue that said teammates had undertaken an impossible task. In what began as a mostly-harmless five-point opening half (on two-of-eight shooting), Hauser emerged from intermission prepared for something legendary, pocketing seven 3-pointers in the third frame alone to secure Boston’s single-quarter record. The final “heat check” trifecta arrived with a bit of off-the-dribble verve, with Hauser — forgoing his first notion — lulling Brice Sensabugh to sleep before backstepping his way into a spot-on triple. Boston’s players often speak about just how many players are capable of a bucket-getting eruption, and on March 10, 2025, Hauser’s turn arrived through a 32-point percolation (including 27 in the second half), joined by six boards, one steal, and nine 3-pointers.