The first half of the Boston Celtics 2025-26 NBA regular season has been defined by two things in particular; surprising success compared to preseason predictions – and the fact that it has been happening in spite of some of the team’s best shooters being in extended slumps.
But in recent weeks, that early-season slump has faded for Celtics sharpshooter Sam Hauser, with the Green Bay, Wisconsin native lighting up opposing defenses from beyond the arc with regularity. That is has also come with Hauser inserted into a starting role hints at the VCU alum being ready for a larger role as well, with the rest of his stat line attesting to the increasing completeness of his play. Hauser spoke on that slump after Boston’s 119-104 home win vs. the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday (Jan. 21) night, saying “you just try to take it day by day. It happens to everybody throughout every season.”
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“You’re going to hit a low, you’re going to be on a high. It’s just a matter of taking every day for what it is,” he continued. “Sometimes you want it to happen right away, and it just doesn’t, and you’ve just got to keep working through it. And that’s what it was this season. Now we’re here, but (we’re) just trying to keep it the way it’s been going.”
Jan 21, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Micah Potter (11) shoots against Boston Celtics forward Sam Hauser (30) during the second half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images
Hauser has also shown he can put it on the floor and attack the cup when opposing defenses tale the 3 away from him as well. “I know I’m capable of doing other things other than shooting a 3,” he explained. “It’s just what I’m asked to do the most.”
“And that’s how I started to get on the floor in Boston and tried to run with that and become as great of a shooter as I can each and every day. And then also building off that, which the next phase to a shot is a shot fake and drive. So I know I’m capable of it and then when it presents itself I try to take advantage.”
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This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: Sam Hauser on snapping slump, growing game with Celtics