![NBA](https://a3.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/teamlogos/leagues/500/nba.png&w=40)
Boston Celtics at Washington Wizards
· National Basketball AssociationEmbed this event in your website
Sam Hauser posts career bests of 30 points, 10 3-pointers as Celtics beat Wizards 130-104
![Sam Hauser goes off for 10 treys in Celtics' win over Wizards](https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/media/motion/2024/0317/ss_20240317_194629572_2526908/ss_20240317_194629572_2526908.jpg&w=900&h=360&scale=crop&location=origin)
Jayson Tatum also scored 30 points with six 3-pointers as the NBA-leading Celtics hit 24 shots from beyond the arc in a game in which they never trailed despite missing three starters. Payton Pritchard had 14 points and 13 assists.
“That's why we have that stay-ready group, frankly, for days like this," Tatum said of playing less than full strength. “We can just plug in certain guys in certain positions and moments. And the expectation is that we don't skip 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 strain) among the ranks of injured Boston players.
Tatum also had been questionable with an ankle issue entering Wednesday. Instead, he played his 31st consecutive game and Hauser made his 16th career start to power Boston to 81 points before halftime and a lead that reached 36 points in the third quarter.
“I loved his confidence, I loved his aggressiveness,” Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said of Hauser. “I loved how guys looked for him. He got his shots within the flow of our execution. And that's the weapon that he is.”
Hauser shot 10 for 13 from long distance before departing midway through the third with an ankle injury. He was not available postgame.
“I haven't heard anything," Mazzulla said. "I know he was getting an X-ray after the game, so we'll find out. I think it was cautionary X-rays.”
Boston went 17 for 28 from 3-point range in the first half. The Celtics shot 48% from beyond the arc despite removing their starters 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 built 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 best on his sixth 3-pointer with 6:29 left in the second and surpassed 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 remaining in the third.
Before his exit, his teammates wanted him to aim for the Celtics' record of 11 made 3s, owned 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. “Us shooters, we know those records. ... We're very aware of it and were pulling for Sam."
UP NEXT
Celtics: Host Detroit on Monday night.
Wizards: Host Houston on Tuesday night.
Regular Season Series
BOS leads series 3-0
Matchup Prediction
Recent Plays
4th 0.0 | ![]() |
End of Game | 130 - 104 |
4th 0.0 | ![]() |
End of the 4th Quarter | 130 - 104 |
4th 20.2 | ![]() |
shot clock turnover | 130 - 104 |
4th 42.0 | ![]() |
Neemias Queta defensive rebound | 130 - 104 |
4th 47.0 | ![]() |
Jules Bernard misses 25-foot three point jumper | 130 - 104 |
Statistics
![]() |
![]() |
|
---|---|---|
43-87 | FG | 41-89 |
49.4 | Field Goal % | 46.1 |
24-50 | 3PT | 10-34 |
48.0 | Three Point % | 29.4 |
20-24 | FT | 12-14 |
83.3 | Free Throw % | 85.7 |
43 | Rebounds | 40 |
12 | Offensive Rebounds | 10 |
31 | Defensive Rebounds | 30 |
30 | Assists | 24 |
9 | Steals | 3 |
6 | Blocks | 5 |
14 | Turnovers | 16 |
1 | Team Turnovers | 0 |
15 | Total Turnovers | 16 |
1 | Technical Fouls | 1 |
1 | Total Technical Fouls | 1 |
0 | Flagrant Fouls | 0 |
11 | Points Conceded Off Turnovers | 22 |
18 | Fast Break Points | 8 |
36 | Points in Paint | 54 |
17 | Fouls | 20 |
36 | Largest Lead | 0 |
Game Information
![](https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/venues/nba/day/1823.jpg&w=743&h=311&scale=crop&cquality=100&location=origin)
Location: Washington, DC
Attendance: 20,333 · Capacity:
2023-24 Atlantic Standings
TEAM | W | L | PCT | GB | STRK |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() |
64 | 18 | .780 | - | W2 |
![]() |
50 | 32 | .610 | 14 | W5 |
![]() |
47 | 35 | .573 | 17 | W8 |
![]() |
32 | 50 | .390 | 32 | L2 |
![]() |
25 | 57 | .305 | 39 | L4 |
2023-24 Southeast Standings
TEAM | W | L | PCT | GB | STRK |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() |
- | 35 | W1 | 0.5731707 | 47 |
![]() |
1 | 36 | W2 | 0.5609756 | 46 |
![]() |
11 | 46 | L6 | 0.4390244 | 36 |
![]() |
26 | 61 | W1 | 0.25609756 | 21 |
![]() |
32 | 67 | L6 | 0.18292683 | 15 |
NBA News
![Inside the Paul George free agency showdown: How the Sixers landed the nine-time All-Star](https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/photo/2024/0702/r1353382_576x324_16-9.jpg&w=360&scale=crop&location=origin)
Inside the Paul George free agency showdown: How the Sixers landed the nine-time All-Star
The Sixers' first attempt to land Paul George came a year ago, and they bided their time. Then, finally, came a meeting Sunday night.
![NBA free agency 2024: Latest signings, news, buzz and reports](https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/photo/2024/0701/r1353258_1296x729_16-9.jpg&w=360&scale=crop&location=origin)
NBA free agency 2024: Latest signings, news, buzz and reports
All the deals we've seen so far -- including Klay Thompson's big move to the Mavs -- after a wild start to free agency.
![James Wiseman's best plays of the season](https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/media/motion/2024/0702/ss_20240702_134933338_2597957/ss_20240702_134933338_2597957.jpg&w=360&scale=crop&location=origin)
James Wiseman's best plays of the season
Check out some of James Wiseman's best moments this past season after he signed a two-year deal with the Pacers.
![Sources: Pacers, James Wiseman agree to 2-year contract](https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/photo/2023/0320/r1147513_1296x729_16-9.jpg&w=360&scale=crop&location=origin)
Sources: Pacers, James Wiseman agree to 2-year contract
The Pacers have agreed to a two-year contract with former No. 2 pick James Wiseman, sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
![Early NBA contender tiers after an Eastern Conference superstar shakeup](https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/photo/2024/0702/r1353566_576x324_16-9.jpg&w=360&scale=crop&location=origin)
Early NBA contender tiers after an Eastern Conference superstar shakeup
Here's where all 15 Eastern Conference teams land after some game-changing moves to start free agency.