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Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics couldn't have asked for a worse start to their Eastern Conference semifinal series against the New York Knicks.
Holding a 20-point lead in the third quarter of each game, the Celtics allowed the Knicks to secure an unlikely come-from-behind win in both. They also shot a horrendous 25% from 3-point range, setting the unfortunate record of most long-distance misses between two playoff games (25-of-100).
Trying to find a silver lining for Boston as it heads to New York trailing 2-0: the team posted one of the best road records in NBA history during the regular season (61-21). On top of that, Kristaps Porzingis is expected to play despite continuing to battle an illness.
However, the Celtics will be without one of their sharpshooters for a second-straight game as Sam Hauser has been ruled out with a right ankle sprain.
Hauser suffered the injury late in the third quarter of Game 1, only playing four minutes throughout the entire series. The Celtics originally listed him as doubtful for Game 3, but he has since been downgraded.
The former Virginia star has been one of the Celtics' top options off the bench over the past few seasons. In each of his four years in the NBA, he has shot over 41% from 3-point range, averaging 8.1 points per game in 2024-25.
However, Hauser has not looked himself during Boston's playoff run. He has attempted only 11 shots from distance, hitting just four of them (36.4%). His postseason scoring average has also dropped to 2.7 points per game.
Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis (8) and forward Sam Hauser (30)© David Butler II-Imagn Images
If the Celtics want a chance to come back against the Knicks, they will likely have to secure a Game 3 win. Otherwise, they would fall into a 0-3 hole, one that no NBA team has ever come back from.
Following Game 3, the Celtics and Knicks will face off in Game 4 on Monday back at Madison Square Garden.
Continue reading...
Holding a 20-point lead in the third quarter of each game, the Celtics allowed the Knicks to secure an unlikely come-from-behind win in both. They also shot a horrendous 25% from 3-point range, setting the unfortunate record of most long-distance misses between two playoff games (25-of-100).
Trying to find a silver lining for Boston as it heads to New York trailing 2-0: the team posted one of the best road records in NBA history during the regular season (61-21). On top of that, Kristaps Porzingis is expected to play despite continuing to battle an illness.
However, the Celtics will be without one of their sharpshooters for a second-straight game as Sam Hauser has been ruled out with a right ankle sprain.
Injury Report update:
Sam Hauser (right ankle sprain) - OUT https://t.co/DwxPw5p2FD
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) May 10, 2025
Hauser suffered the injury late in the third quarter of Game 1, only playing four minutes throughout the entire series. The Celtics originally listed him as doubtful for Game 3, but he has since been downgraded.
The former Virginia star has been one of the Celtics' top options off the bench over the past few seasons. In each of his four years in the NBA, he has shot over 41% from 3-point range, averaging 8.1 points per game in 2024-25.
However, Hauser has not looked himself during Boston's playoff run. He has attempted only 11 shots from distance, hitting just four of them (36.4%). His postseason scoring average has also dropped to 2.7 points per game.
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Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis (8) and forward Sam Hauser (30)© David Butler II-Imagn Images
If the Celtics want a chance to come back against the Knicks, they will likely have to secure a Game 3 win. Otherwise, they would fall into a 0-3 hole, one that no NBA team has ever come back from.
Following Game 3, the Celtics and Knicks will face off in Game 4 on Monday back at Madison Square Garden.
Continue reading...