Al Horford's journey away from the Boston Celtics has taken another unexpected turn. Back in 2019, Horford left Boston for what he imagined were greener pastures, only to find the fit wasn’t quite right in Philadelphia. Fast forward to 2026, and it seems history is repeating itself, but with a new twist.
This time, Horford joined a Golden State Warriors team that appeared to be a contender on paper but was built on a shaky foundation due to its age. With the Celtics thriving without him, Horford’s decision is under even more scrutiny, especially in light of the latest news about Stephen Curry.
ESPN's Shams Charania reported that Curry will be sidelined for another 10 days due to a knee injury, extending his absence to a total of 20 consecutive games. Curry has started on-court work and is looking to ramp up his activities, but the Warriors are currently sitting at 32-33, just outside the playoff picture. With an aging roster further hampered by Jimmy Butler's ACL tear and Curry's knee issues, the Warriors’ season is teetering on the edge.
Horford’s time with the Warriors is turning out to be more challenging than his stint with the Sixers, where at least they made the playoffs. His departure from Boston is looking increasingly ill-timed, especially given the Celtics’ impressive performance this season.
Remarkably, the Celtics have thrived by relying on players like Neemias Queta and Luka Garza to fill the void left by Horford. Few would have predicted such success, especially with the uncertainty surrounding Jayson Tatum’s return from an Achilles tear. Horford might have reconsidered his move had he known how the Celtics would rally, despite the team having to make tough roster decisions.
In retrospect, Horford’s choice to leave Boston again seems even more regrettable as the Warriors struggle and the Celtics excel. Boston could have benefited from his presence, not out of necessity, but as a valuable asset in their pursuit of success.
Who would have thought that Horford’s separation from the Celtics would impact him more than the team itself? Once again, it appears that parting ways with Boston wasn’t the best move for Horford.