In this series, we’re looking at the biggest statistical differences between last season and the current one to understand how Celtics players have evolved while wearing the same jersey. Not every role change comes with more freedom. Sometimes, it comes with tighter margins. Sam Hauser’s season fits that description.
Coming into the year, Hauser’s role wasn’t expected to change much. He was still there to do one thing: shoot. His minutes rose slightly (+1.2 per game), his usage ticked up (+1.4%),
and his overall place in the rotation stayed stable. On the surface, nothing looked different.
Under the hood, almost everything did.
Hauser’s efficiency dropped across the board. His points per 100 shot attempts fell by 11.1, with declines in both two-point (-17.4%) and three-point percentage (-2.7%). Those numbers can be tempting to read as shooting regression, but the context tells a different story.
The biggest shift is in where his shots now come from. Hauser is taking far fewer corner threes (down 11%), while his non-corner three frequencies jumped by 14%. Those are harder shots. Longer, more contested and requires more dribbles before pulling the trigger.
That change also shows up in how his baskets are created. Overall, the share of Hauser’s assisted field goals stayed flat… but the breakdown underneath it moved significantly. Assisted finishes at the rim dropped sharply (-33%), while assisted midrange looks increased (+18%). Fewer cuts and more catch-and-shoot threes turned into mid-range because of the spacing shrinking.
This indicator fits with his pull-up attempts rose slightly, while his drives dipped, signaling a player occasionally forced to put the ball on the floor with more complicated close-out.
Defensively, Hauser’s impact remains steady. His block rate improved slightly, and nothing in the defensive profile suggests a diminished role. Like Payton Pritchard, he is targeted more often than before as he spends more time on the court.
Hauser’s season isn’t about losing trust. It’s about impacting the game with less space and more volume. Same position, same role label, but tougher shots and less room for error. Same jersey, different job.
Below is an overview of his statistical evolution, via Cleaning the Glass:
