BOSTON — The Celtics endured an untimely injury during Saturday night’s battle against the Memphis Grizzlies at TD Garden.
Sam Hauser hobbled to Boston’s locker room with 8:59 remaining in the second quarter before being replaced by Jrue Holiday. The Celtics revealed right adductor tightness was the cause and that the 27-year-old was doubtful to return, likely ending Hauser’s night at a scoreless 0-for-2 showing from the field in nine minutes.
Hauser attempted two 3-pointers in the first quarter and grabbed a rebound before clocking out, trimming off a serviceable chunk of Boston’s depth — Hauser entered the night averaging 8.9 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.1 assists while shooting 44.6% from the floor and 37.4% from beyond the arc.
The premature departure isn’t anything new to the reigning champs.
Boston opened its season missing starting center Kristaps Porzingis for the first 18 games , hasn’t played Al Horford in back-to-back nights and recently defeated the Detroit Pistons without Jayson Tatum on Wednesday night.
Missing Hauser could backfire, especially considering the Celtics missed 20 first-half 3-point attempts and followed its fourth-year veteran into the locker room trailing the Grizzlies, 66-54, in hopes of capturing a fourth consecutive win.
