The Boston Celtics took one step closer to another NBA Finals appearance with a 109-100 win over the Orlando Magic in Game 2 on Wednesday night. It was a hard-fought effort by a Celtics squad that stepped up in Jayson Tatum's absence as their star leader continues rehabbing his wrist injury.
The Celtics now hold a 2-0 series lead as the action shifts to Orlando for Game 3. As promising as the team's outlook is, though, there's always room for improvement. It's safe to say that not everyone in head coach Joe Mazzulla's lineup is playing to their full abilities, and continuing to do so will make an offseason split that much easier.
That includes one Celtics guard who hasn't come close to meeting expectations after two games.
Sam Hauser’s Poor Playoff Performance Is Making It Easy for Celtics To Say Goodbye
If anyone on the current Celtics roster is in danger of being sent packing this summer, it's Sam Hauser. It would've been silly to imagine trading the ex-Marquette/Virginia product after he signed a $45 million extension last offseason, however, things can quickly change in less than a year.
It was business as usual for Hauser in the regular season, averaging 8.5 points and 3.2 rebounds while shooting 45.1% from the floor and 41.6% from deep on 5.6 three-point attempts per game. The fact that he averaged 21.7 minutes while making 19 starts in 71 outings shows that he was one of Mazzulla's most trusted players.
Unfortunately, Hauser's performance has fallen off a cliff in the playoffs. Limited to 11.5 minutes through Games 1 and 2, the Green Bay, WI native has yet to tally a single point as he's missed the only three shots — all three-point attempts — he's taken. That isn't the performance fans expected to see from someone who's supposed to be one of the Celtics' top three-point specialists.
To put things further in perspective, the Celtics are averaging a puny 26 points per 100 possessions with Hauser on the floor this postseason. For comparison, Tatum is the next closest player with a 91 offensive rating, while 2024-25 NBA Sixth Man of the Year Payton Pritchard sits atop the list with a mark of 151.
It doesn't help that Hauser hasn't contributed defensively either. He's struggled to defend the Magic to begin the series, allowing the opposition to constantly blow by him. And, if they don't, he's usually caught taking an untimely foul.
If Hauser doesn't turn things around, the Celtics could look to move him this offseason. Boston is projected to be significantly over next season's second apron, and new owner Bill Chisholm could be looking to shed some salary as he takes over the franchise. With that in mind, trading Hauser makes sense given that he's due approximately $35 million in guaranteed cash across the next three years.
Hauser is exciting to watch when he's on his game, so let's hope he can return to form before it's too late. In the meantime, the Celtics will head into Friday's Game 3 as the 5.5-point road favorites over the Magic on FanDuel Sportsbook.
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