Locked On Celtics: Boston Celtics DOMINATE as Jaylen Brown, Sam Hauser DELIVER Near-Record Night

Host: John Karalis
Date: January 18, 2026
Game Result: Boston Celtics 132, Atlanta Hawks 106

Episode Overview

In this bonus episode, John Karalis recaps the Celtics’ resounding 132-106 victory over the Atlanta Hawks, a game notable for near-record offensive outbursts and individual performances. Broadcasting directly from Atlanta’s State Farm Arena, John breaks down the Celtics’ historic second quarter, Jaylen Brown’s bounce-back night, Sam Hauser’s chase for the three-point shooting record, and provides candid insights on what led to such a lopsided outcome.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Setting the Scene: Hawks’ Disadvantage & Celtics’ Opportunity

• Atlanta’s Situation:
  • First game back after a tough West Coast trip, with notable injuries and having recently traded Trae Young.
  • The fatigue and travel burden made the matchup even tougher for a struggling Hawks squad.
  • “This was their first game back from a long road trip... they just came off a big West Coast swing...that’s tough to do.” – John Karalis (04:41)

Jaylen Brown’s Statement Performance

• First Quarter Domination:
  • Scored 18 points—matching the entire Hawks team at one point (18-18).
  • Showed new mental focus after previous struggles—Brown had recently admitted to January doldrums.
• Efficiency & Impact:
  • Finished with 41 points in under 30 minutes (29.5 mins), shooting 14/30 FG, 2/9 3FG, and 11/12 FT.
  • Only one turnover—crucial after averaging over five per game in recent outings.
  • Added 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block.
  • Plus/minus: +36 (second-best on the team)
  • "For him to say that in the morning and then come out and play like this, I think it's a kind of a response to his last couple of games." (07:16)
  • "One turnover... that's huge, because he's been averaging over the last five games almost five and a half turnovers." (09:20)

Record-Chasing Second Quarter & Historic Team Offense

• Near Franchise Record:
  • Celtics scored 52 points in the second quarter (franchise record is 54).
  • Outscored the Hawks by 24 in that quarter.
  • "52 points in the second quarter. That is outrageous to score 52 points in a quarter." (08:20)
• Team 3PT Shooting:
  • Celtics shot 11-of-15 from three in the second quarter alone.
  • Finished 22-of-52 (42.3%) overall, with many attempts being clean, open looks generated by strong ball movement against a fatigued Hawks defense.

Sam Hauser’s Historic Night and the Three-Point Chase

• Unconscious Shooting Display:
  • Hit 6-of-6 threes in the second quarter alone.
  • Ended the night with 30 points on 10-of-21 shooting—all 3PT attempts, without taking a single two-pointer.
  • Most three-point attempts in NBA history without a two-point try.
  • "He was 6 of 6 in the second quarter from three... Hauser was unconscious in this game." (12:02)
  • At his postgame press conference, Hauser joked about the chase:
    • "Why would I take any two-pointers if I'm sitting at 10 three-pointers?" (paraphrased, 15:44)
• Record Attempt:
  • With 10 threes made, Hauser fell just shy of Marcus Smart’s team record (11).
  • Was “blatantly chasing” the record late—missed his last six threes.
  • Coach Joe Mazzulla let him chase the record as a reward for his consistent hard work.
  • "Letting Sam go for a three-point record out there is like the least that Joe could do." (16:20)
  • "He was just like, he's joking, like, yeah, at that point, I was just throwing them up there and seeing what could... it." (17:00)
• Memorable Moment:
  • “Marcus Smart is such a good defender that he somehow telepathically prevented Sam Hauser from getting the 11th three pointer. Because Hauser wanted it. He knew it.” (15:07)
• Hauser’s Self-Deprecating Humor:
  • "We're going to see you on the injury report with a stiff shoulder in Detroit because of all the shots you put up." (17:20)

Defensive Performance & Team Contributions

• Defensive Highlights:
  • Held the Hawks to 37% shooting.
  • Despite allowing too many offensive rebounds and turnovers (17 turnovers for 19 Hawks points), the Celtics’ defense kept the game out of reach.
  • Outrebounded Atlanta defensively (44 def. rebounds).
  • "The defense was good. Like, again, the Hawks, in a tough situation, they shot 37%. They might have shot 37%, no matter what..." (20:08)
• Individual Standouts:
  • Derrick White: Quiet scoring night but stellar all-around play (7 pts, 12 ast, 5 reb, 3 stl, 1 blk, +36 plus/minus). Particularly effective at chasing down steals, a new staple in his game.
    • "Sometimes you don't need to score... This was one of those nights." (21:17)
  • Neemias Queta: Efficient finish (14 pts, 5/7 FG) off the bench, though a bit shaky with a few tough fumbles.
  • Baylor Scheierman: Started in place of Peyton Pritchard (ankle)—solid effort (3/6 3PT, 7 reb, 4 ast, 3 stl).
  • Anthony Simons: 14 points off the bench on 50% FG; steady secondary scoring.

Context, Sportsmanship, and Coaching Decisions

• Fairness Toward Atlanta:
  • John empathizes with the Hawks’ tough situation, paralleling how he'd give the Celtics a similar pass under those circumstances.
• Joe Mazzulla’s Trust in Players:
  • His decision to let Hauser pursue the record highlighted team-first culture and trust in role players.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Jaylen Brown’s Mindset:
  “He mentioned at the team shootaround that this is the time of the year you have to lock in mentally, because mentally you start to wane around this time of year.” (06:02)

• On Hauser’s Three-Point Barrage:
  “He took 21 three-pointers, which is just an incredible number. 10 of 21, which is the most three-point attempts anybody's ever taken without taking a two-point shot.” (15:30)

• Sam Hauser, joking on record chase:
  “So you're at 10 three-pointers and he goes, ‘Oh, here we go.’ He knew that was the first thing that was happening because he was just firing.” (15:37)

• Marcus Smart’s team record survives:
  “Marcus Smart is such a good defender that he somehow telepathically prevented Sam Hauser from getting the 11th three-pointer.” (15:07)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Atlanta’s schedule disadvantage explained: 04:41–06:45
• Jaylen Brown’s dominant first half and perspective: 06:46–09:49
• Second quarter, near team-record scoring, Hauser gets hot: 10:15–14:30
• Hauser’s chase for three-point record, postgame humor, coaching decision: 14:45–17:35
• Recap on team shooting and defense: 18:00–21:49
• Individual player assessments: 21:15–22:50
• Closing thoughts and John’s new SI role: 22:50–23:49

Tone & Style

John Karalis brings an expert, grounded, and slightly wry tone, blending deep basketball insight with the inside perspective earned after years on the Celtics beat. Humorous anecdotes (e.g., Hauser’s “shoulder injury” from so many shots, Marcus Smart’s “telepathic defense”) lighten the breakdown, and the emphasis on team-first culture and context helps non-fans and die-hard listeners alike appreciate what made this blowout win distinctive.

Summary

• The Celtics exploded for a second-quarter performance (52 points) just shy of a franchise record, riding Jaylen Brown’s statement game and Sam Hauser’s historic three-point shooting.
• Boston’s focus, team chemistry, and defensive discipline turned a would-be trap game into a rout, while individual stories (Brown’s mental reset, Hauser’s green light) highlighted the team’s depth and culture.
• John Karalis delivers a concise, insightful, yet entertaining breakdown from the Atlanta arena, marking both a big night for Boston and his first podcast since joining Sports Illustrated.