The Celtics will be getting a rotation player pick in all likelihood on Wednesday night when facing the Pacers in an East Finals rematch. The team announced on Tuesday that Sam Hauser has been upgraded to probable on the injury report. The sharpshooting wing has missed the past three games due to lower back pain. Kristaps Porzingis also remains out for Boston as he recovers from offseason leg surgery.
Hauser had been listed as questionable against the Bucks originally before Monday’s game before the team downgraded him hours before tip. Boston has started the season with a 4-0 record including three straight wins without Hauser. In his place, Payton Pritchard has stepped up the scoring load for the bench, posting 28 points in Monday’s win over the Bucks. Jordan Walsh also saw rotation minutes on the wing for the first time all year Monday while bigs like Xavier Tillman and Neemias Queta have carried more of a minutes load as well in Hauser’s absence.
Mazzulla praised the Celtics bench for their play and ability to play in different ways after the win against the Bucks.
“To me, we make it very clear from the beginning of the season how important those group of guys are, and it’s going to look different every night, Mazzulla said. “It’s a credit to them because they stay ready, and it’s a credit to the staff for getting them ready. So it’s not about finding it. It’s like that group of the Neemie, the Jordan, the Luke, the X.”
The Celtics will come into Indiana with Hauser facing a reeling Pacers team that has lost three straight games. Indiana will also be shorthanded without backup big man James Wiseman (calf) who is out for the season.
The Celtics and Pacers tip off at 7 p.m. Wednesday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
