Al Horford's Emotional Return Against the Celtics
In a game that was as much about reunions as it was about basketball, Al Horford faced his former team, the Boston Celtics, for the first time since joining the Golden State Warriors. The Celtics emerged victorious, defeating the Warriors 121-110, and at one point led by a staggering 34 points in the third quarter.
Horford, a key figure in Boston's 2024 NBA Championship run alongside Kristaps Porzingis, found himself on the opposite side of the court this time. His move to the Warriors came after the Celtics faced uncertainty with Jayson Tatum sidelined due to an Achilles injury.
Facing Familiar Faces
Reflecting on the matchup, Horford shared the mixed emotions of facing his old team. "It's definitely a weird feeling going through that," he admitted.
"It was nice to see a lot of the guys. We talked before, and getting to see the coaches and the staff was great.
But once the game got going, it was all business."
Horford also spoke about his interactions with Porzingis, who was making his debut for the Celtics. "I was encouraging him to get to his spots and be aggressive.
We know he can score. He'll continue to progress, and once he gets his legs under him, we'll see the real KP.
For a first game after being out for so long, he did a really good job."
A Storied Career Continues
Horford's career has been a remarkable journey, from his college days at Florida to becoming a standout player with the Atlanta Hawks. In Atlanta, he was a 4-time All-Star and a key figure in the team's success during the early and mid-2010s. His move to Boston saw him transform into a defensive powerhouse, earning Defensive Player of the Year votes and another All-Star nod.
His second stint with the Celtics culminated in the 2024 championship, where he played a crucial role alongside Porzingis, Tatum, and Jaylen Brown.
Now with the Warriors, Horford, at 39, is embracing his role as a veteran presence. Despite battling injuries earlier this season, he has shown resilience, improving his performance notably in January with an average of 8.2 points and shooting 37.7% from beyond the arc. While February has seen a dip in his three-point shooting, his scoring average has reached a season-high of 9.0 points per game.
Horford's journey continues, and while his stats may not be what they once were, his impact on the court and in the locker room remains invaluable.