Celtics: Sam Hauser Unworried About Celtics Start After Loss

Sam Hauser unworried about Celtics start was the message from Boston Celtics practice on Thursday, October 22, two days after Boston blew a 22-point lead and lost 121-113 to the Detroit Pistons on opening night. Hauser said the Boston Celtics are not concerned after one game, pointing to rebounding, execution against pressure, and the new frontcourt as the fixes needed before the New York Knicks visit TD Garden on Friday, October 23.





Sam Hauser says the first game of 82 is no reason for the Boston Celtics to panic


"I don't think it's concerning," Sam Hauser said after Boston Celtics practice on Thursday, per CLNS Media reporting shared by Celtics Wire. "It's the first game of 82. So there's definitely going to be kinks that we're going to have to work out. But I don't think we're concerned. I think we showed flashes of being really, really good and then flashes of areas where we need to improve."


NESN reported the same message from Sam Hauser, who called the loss part of the battle every team goes through each season. The Boston Celtics led the Detroit Pistons 58-45 at halftime on Tuesday, and Hauser's point was that Boston's best stretches showed what the team can be when it finishes defensive possessions.


Detroit's pressure and the glass exposed what the Boston Celtics must fix


The Detroit Pistons changed the game after halftime by picking up their defensive pressure. Detroit outscored Boston 76-55 in the second half, and Hauser admitted the Boston Celtics did not handle that pressure well enough, did not execute well enough on offense, and did not rebound well enough.


Detroit outrebounded Boston 49-39 and held a 14-12 edge in offensive rebounds, extending possessions while Boston's lead disappeared. Finishing defensive possessions is the first fix before the New York Knicks arrive.


MORE: Celtics Rebounding Problems Exposed in Pistons Collapse





Boston's bigs chemistry will decide how fast the Celtics settle this season


Hauser put much of the answer on Boston's bigs chemistry, because centers Mitchell Robinson and Neemias Queta combined for just seven rebounds in Detroit. He said the Boston Celtics bigs set off-ball screens, run the floor, roll hard to the rim, and protect the rim on defense.


"They do a lot for us and when they're at their best, then usually we're at our best too," Hauser said of Mitchell Robinson, Neemias Queta, and Luka Garza. "So we put a lot on them and they can handle it. But it's not always an easy job." That chemistry matters even more against the New York Knicks, because New York center Karl-Anthony Towns will test Boston's glass work in the home opener at TD Garden.








The Knicks at TD Garden give the Boston Celtics an immediate answer on Friday


The Boston Celtics host the New York Knicks on Friday, October 23, at 7 p.m. ET at TD Garden in Boston's home opener. Both teams lost on opening night and had two days of rest, so Friday tests whether Detroit was a blip or a real problem. If Mitchell Robinson and Neemias Queta control the glass against Karl-Anthony Towns, Hauser's calm message will look right.


Frequently Asked Questions


What did Sam Hauser say after the Boston Celtics lost to the Detroit Pistons?

Sam Hauser said the start is not concerning because it was the first game of 82, with flashes of being really good and areas to improve.


How badly did Detroit outrebound the Boston Celtics in the opener?

Detroit outrebounded Boston 49-39, with a 14-12 edge in offensive rebounds, in the 121-113 win on Tuesday. Mitchell Robinson and Neemias Queta combined for just seven rebounds.


When do the Boston Celtics play the New York Knicks at TD Garden?

The Boston Celtics host the New York Knicks on Friday, October 23, at 7 p.m. ET at TD Garden, in Boston's home opener.


More Celtics


Sources:

https://nesn.com/boston-celtics/news/celtics-reveals-concern-level-after-pistons-collapse/9333e22ff85fb3a41d765874

https://celticswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/celtics/2026/10/22/sam-hauser-seems-unworried-about-rough-celtics-start-bigs-chemistry/92382032007/

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