In the wild world of celebrity look-alikes, NBA stars aren’t immune to the occasional mix-up. For Boston Celtics forward Sam Hauser, it’s not just about being recognized—it’s about being recognized as someone else entirely. And let’s face it, when you’re a dead ringer for a retired All-Star, the laughs come easy.
On a recent episode of the “White Noise Podcast with Derrick White,” Hauser shared a side-splitting airport encounter that had fans chuckling. Picture this: Hauser, sporting his signature beard and hairstyle, is minding his own business at Boston’s airport when a fan approaches with total confidence. “What’s up, Gordon?” the guy says, mistaking him for none other than Gordon Hayward, the former Celtics standout and 2017 All-Star.
Hauser, ever the good sport, tried to set the record straight. “That’s not me, man,” he replied. But the fan wasn’t buying it. “I know what you’re doing. Have a good flight, man,” the guy shot back, convinced Hauser was just pulling a prank. Hauser couldn’t help but laugh it off, calling these kinds of interactions “hilarious” and admitting fans get “sold on it” no matter what.
It’s not hard to see why the confusion happens. Both players share strikingly similar features—think flowing hair and that rugged beard vibe. Even though they never suited up together on the court, their doppelgänger status makes for perfect fodder in Celtics lore.
Hauser, now 27, entered the league undrafted in 2021 but quickly carved out a niche with Boston on a two-way contract. Five seasons in, he’s become a dependable sniper from deep, known for his sharpshooting prowess. This year, he’s putting up 6.6 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game, with a 33.9% field goal percentage and 34% from beyond the arc. Over his career, those numbers shine brighter: 44.2% from the field and a scorching 41.4% from three, solidifying his role as a key contributor to the Celtics’ offense.
On the flip side, Gordon Hayward’s journey was a whirlwind. Drafted ninth overall by the Utah Jazz in 2010, he spent seven solid years there before joining the Celtics from 2017 to 2020. His time in Boston was marked by highs and injuries, but he bounced around to the Charlotte Hornets and Oklahoma City Thunder before hanging up his sneakers in 2024. Hayward retired with career averages of 15.2 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 3.5 assists, shooting an efficient 45.5% from the field—a testament to his All-Star caliber play.
Meanwhile, the Celtics are navigating choppy waters without their superstar Jayson Tatum, who’s sidelined with a ruptured right Achilles and hasn’t made his 2025-26 debut yet. Head coach Joe Mazzulla isn’t sweating the timeline, though. “I have no idea. I never thought about it,” Mazzulla quipped when asked about Tatum’s return odds. Instead, he’s praising Tatum’s off-court leadership: “He’s on the bench for every game. He’s on the trips. He’s working out during practice. He’s in the film rooms. He’s at shootarounds. That’s how he’s leading—with his presence—and that’s how he’s preparing to come back whenever that is.”
Sitting at eighth in the standings with a 10-8 record, Boston isn’t letting the absence slow them down. Next up? A showdown against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday, November 29. With Hauser’s hot hand and the team’s resilient spirit, the Celtics are poised to keep pushing forward—identity crises and all.