Boston Celtics forward Sam Hauser recalled a funny fan encounter at a Boston airport where he was mistaken for former teammate Gordon Hayward.
“I was in the airport one time in Boston and this is when I had this hairdo and the beard and some guy comes up to me. He goes, ‘What’s up, Gordon?’ Like Gordon Hayward. I’m like, ‘What’s up? That’s not me, man.’ I like, ‘No, that’s not me.’ He goes, ‘I know what you’re doing. Have a good flight, man.’ I’m like, ‘All right,’” Hauser explained on White Noise Podcast w/Derrick White, via HoopsHype.
Hauser has steadily carved out a role for himself with the Celtics since joining in 2021, contributing as a versatile wing who can shoot from distance. Over his four full NBA seasons, he has averaged 7.3 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game while maintaining a 41.4% three-point shooting clip.
During the 2024-25 season, Hauser averaged 6.6 points and 3.2 rebounds across 18 games, showing consistent floor spacing for Boston alongside the team’s stars. His ability to hit threes and provide depth has made him a reliable rotation player in both regular season and postseason action.
In playoff appearances, Hauser’s minutes have been more limited, averaging just 10.4 minutes over 49 career games. Despite the reduced role, he has shot 36.1% from beyond the arc in postseason contests, giving the Celtics occasional bench scoring bursts.
Hauser’s story highlights the sometimes humorous side of NBA stardom, where players can be mistaken for teammates or peers by casual fans. His resemblance to Hayward, combined with a distinctive hair and beard style at the time, made the mix-up believable.
