While it seemed Payton Pritchard the player set for a sky high season and provide the spark off the bench, it has been Hauser so far assuming that role. Pritchard has struggled with his shot while still finding ways to contribute but it is Hauser who has provided the scoring punch.
It's hard to be surprised by this development, given Hauser's steady rise with Boston last season. He was the occasional spot starter (eight games) and contributor (80 regular season appearances) last season, garnering more responsibility as the season progressed. Hauser rewarded the faith with hard-nosed defense and sweet three-pointers, and is proving to be worth the three-year contract the Celtics signed him to in the summer of 2022.
Moves in the offseason meant more for Hauser to contribute and 11 games into the '23-24 season, the dividends are paying nicely.
Hot start Hauser
The Boston Celtics (9-2) are off to a blazing start and Hauser is a big part of that. Not "starting five" big but a huge factor in averaging 20.9 minutes per game.
Hauser did find himself at the receiving end of his first start this season on Wednesday night, with both Jaylen Brown and Kristaps Porzingis getting the night off.
There were struggles, with Hauser shooting only 3-9 from the field, finishing with eight points. But he was a pest on defense and, in 35 minutes, helped Boston secure the 117-107 road victory over the 76ers.
In his third season, Hauser's start could lead to his best season yet. Hauser is averaging 9.5 points and 3.2 rebounds per game. He is shooting 47.9 percent from the field and 44.8 percent from three-point range. Four games Hauser has made four or more threes in a game this season.
All are jumps over last season, including minutes (from 16.1 to 20.9) per game. Shooting has been better, leading to a higher points per game average. And it's a trend that will hopefully continue as the season goes on, helping the Celtics aspire to greater things.
Boston Celtics going strong
The new-look Celtics are coming together nicely in the early going. Even their two losses were competitive, with Boston losing back-to-back road games in Philadelphia and Minnesota by a combined eight points.
After those losses, the Celtics have won four straight by an average of nearly 16 points per game, including their first two games of the season of holding opponents under 100 points.
The most Boston has given up this season is 114 in the loss to the Timberwolves. They are winning games by an average of 13 points per game (119.4 - 106) and ran wild in a 155-104 victory over the Indiana Pacers.
The player at the top of the team is again Jayson Tatum, who is off to an outstanding start and taking things up a notch this season. He can score steadily throughout the game or can go in spurts, letting the stars around him get going as needed.
Tatum is averaging 28.5 points per game, shooting 51.6 percent from the field, and 8.8 rebounds per game. All five starters are averaging double digits in scoring, with Porzingis (19.7) just short of joining Tatum and Brown (22.9) in the 20+ points per game club.
A healthy, cohesive start is exactly what was wanted for the Celtics to open the season. They are also proving to have a deep, interchangeable bench. Hauser, Pritchard, and Al Horford are the ones seeing consistent minutes. Beyond that, it's any number of players seeing time and contributing.
For now, the top of the bench line belongs to Hauser. And if the threes keep dropping, the spot will be his all season long.
photo credit: Wikimedia Commons
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