Sam Hauser’s milestone night helped the Boston Celtics (9-8) regain their footing, as a sharp offensive performance pushed them past the Orlando Magic (10-8), 138–129, and nudged Boston back above the .500 mark. Orlando made things tense late, but the Celtics controlled the rhythm for most of the night - a welcome response after a flat showing against Brooklyn two days earlier.

The victory came with a significant individual achievement. Early in the third quarter, Hauser crossed the 2,000-point threshold for his NBA career, a marker that says as much about his persistence as it does about his shooting touch.

For a player who entered the league undrafted and fought for every rotation minute he’s earned, that round number felt like more than a tally on a stat sheet. It symbolized the path he carved to become an integral piece of a championship contender.

Hauser’s growth has always started with his elite perimeter shooting. He has cleared 40% from three every season he’s been in the NBA and, as his role expanded, the volume rose with it - 4.2 attempts per game in his second year, then over 5.5 per game in each of the last three campaigns. Yet focusing solely on his shot leaves out how multidimensional he’s become.

Defensively, Hauser continues to outperform the reputation attached to most catch-and-shoot wings. His base strength lets him absorb contact at the rim without ceding driving lanes, and he stays square on the ball well enough to contest without fouling. That steadiness has allowed the Celtics to survive - and often win - minutes where opponents hunt switches, trusting that Hauser can hold up physically.

He’s also broadened his offensive utility. Instead of remaining a stationary threat, Hauser has grown more confident taking a dribble or two to create cleaner looks or keep possessions alive. In a league where one-dimensional shooters often get schemed off the floor, that evolution has been crucial. He’s become more active on the glass as well, chasing down long rebounds that fuel Boston’s early offense.

None of this development was promised. Hauser’s story began with the disappointment of draft night, followed by a choice between Miami and Boston before ultimately landing with the Celtics. He spent time refining his game in the G League, tightening his footwork, improving his defensive anticipation, and learning how to operate in the small windows Boston’s offense creates.

His break came in the 2022–23 season, when Joe Mazzulla committed to giving him consistent minutes. Hauser responded by appearing in 80 games and averaging 16.1 minutes per night, showing the reliability necessary to become a fixture rather than a stopgap. Since then, his rotation spot hasn’t been in question.

Crossing 2,000 career points on Sunday was more than a checkpoint; it was validation of the incremental work that pushed him from fringe roster hopeful to trusted contributor.

For a Celtics team with championship aspirations year after year, Hauser’s rise - steady, deliberate, and earned - remains one of its most quietly important success stories.

Tom Carroll is a contributor for Roundtable, with boots-on-the-ground coverage of all things Boston sports. He's a senior digital content producer for WEEI.com, and a native of Lincoln, RI.