BOSTON -- Sam Hauser left the Celtics’ Game 1 matchup against the Knicks Monday night with a right leg injury. The reserve forward was helped to Boston’s locker room by two trainers after suffering the injury. The team announced he had a sprained ankle in the fourth quarter.
Hauser grabbed his right leg in pain after contesting an OG Anunoby 3-point shot with 28.5 seconds left in the third quarter. Hauser was called for a shooting foul on the play and immediately signaled for a sub. Jaylen Brown replaced Hauser during the stoppage.
Hauser marks the second absence of the night for Boston in Game 1 among rotation players. Kristaps Porzingis did not return to the game after playing 13 first half minutes due to a non-COVID illness. Hauser did not play the first half but saw action in the third quarter due to Porzingis’ absence. He went 0-of-2 from the field in his four minutes, missing both of his 3-point attempts.
Hauser was a key bench contributor for the Celtics all year long, averaging 8.5 points per game while shooting 41.6 percent from 3-point range.
