NEW YORK — Sam Hauser made progress in his recovery before Game 4 of the Celtics’ second-round playoff series — but not enough to return to the lineup.

After being upgraded to questionable and going through an extensive workout at morning shootaround, Hauser was ruled out for Monday night’s game against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.

It was the third straight DNP for the bench sharpshooter, who sprained his right ankle in Boston’s Game 1 loss at TD Garden.

“He’s getting there,” Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla said Sunday. “He’s getting better. He’s day to day, getting better every day, so just got to continue that process. He’s a little bit better today than he was yesterday, and he’s just got to continue to work to get there.”

Related Articles

Celtics notebook: How Payton Pritchard sparked C’s in career-best playoff game

Kristaps Porzingis comes off bench in Game 3 after ominous health report

Jayson Tatum shares candid perspective on spotlight after Celtics’ Game 3 win

Celtics embrace ‘darkness,’ blow out Knicks in much-needed Game 3 win

Celtics rule out rotation player for pivotal Game 3 vs. Knicks

The Celtics have had their entire rotation available for just one full game this postseason.

Hauser, a core member of Mazzulla’s rotation, played in 71 games during the regular season and led all Celtics players in 3-point shooting percentage (41.6%). He’s been quiet since the playoffs began, totaling just 16 points on 6-of-13 shooting in 78 minutes across six appearances.

Guard Jrue Holiday said Monday morning that getting Hauser back “would be huge.” But that will not happen until Game 5 at the earliest.

“Obviously, with his 3-point shooting, he spaces the floor, being able to be dynamic out there,” Holiday said. “Having Big Smooth back would be great.”

Every other Celtics player was available Monday night as Boston attempted to even the best-of-seven Eastern Conference semifinals at 2-2.