Warriors Still Searching for Rhythm with Al Horford as Sciatic Issue Lingers
The Golden State Warriors are still waiting for their summer splash to truly hit the floor. Al Horford, the veteran big man brought in during free agency to add leadership, spacing, and high-IQ play, has yet to settle into a consistent role-and now, a lingering sciatic issue has made that challenge even tougher.
Horford is listed as doubtful for Wednesday night’s matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder, which would mark his fourth straight missed game. Complicating matters, Stephen Curry is already ruled out with a quad injury, leaving the Warriors even more short-handed against a rising Thunder squad.
Managing Horford’s Return: A Balancing Act
There is a small silver lining-Horford’s status has been upgraded from “out” to “doubtful,” a step in the right direction. Still, Golden State is clearly taking a cautious approach with the 39-year-old, and for good reason. He’s appeared in just 12 games so far this season, and the team has been deliberate in managing his minutes and workload.
This isn’t unfamiliar territory when it comes to sciatic irritation. LeBron James dealt with a similar issue earlier this year, reportedly beginning in late July or early August.
He ended up missing the first 14 games of the season before returning to action. While there’s no indication Horford will be sidelined that long, James’ experience is a reminder of how tricky and persistent this type of injury can be-especially for aging stars.
The Warriors have already been limiting Horford’s schedule, keeping him out of back-to-backs and managing his minutes carefully. But the early-season grind hasn’t helped. A condensed slate of games to open the year meant Horford missed multiple contests, making it difficult for him to build chemistry with a new roster after leaving Boston in the offseason.
Production Not Matching Expectations-Yet
The numbers tell the story of a player still searching for his footing. Horford is averaging career-lows nearly across the board: 21.8 minutes, 5.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, and just 34.3% shooting from the field.
His three-point shooting-long a key part of his offensive value-is down to 32%. Perhaps most telling, he currently ranks last on the team in plus-minus.
For a franchise that envisioned Horford as a stabilizing presence in the frontcourt, this isn’t what they had hoped for through the first quarter of the season. But the Warriors are playing the long game here.
They didn’t bring Horford in to dominate the regular season-they brought him in for his postseason poise, his ability to stretch the floor, and his leadership in big moments. Getting him healthy and comfortable within the system is the priority.
Injury Bug Still Biting, But Help Is on the Way
Between Horford’s absence, Curry’s quad injury, and Jonathan Kuminga only recently returning, Golden State has been forced to shuffle the deck more than they’d like. The result has been an inconsistent start to the season, with the team struggling to find rhythm on both ends of the floor.
But there’s reason for optimism. Seth Curry is officially active and ready to go for Tuesday’s game, and De’Anthony Melton could be back as early as this week.
Horford’s upgrade to “doubtful” suggests progress, even if slow. The Warriors are banking on the idea that once they get healthy-and once Horford finds his legs-this team can still be the dangerous, balanced group they envisioned back in July.
For now, though, the focus is simple: get Horford right. Because if the Warriors are going to make any kind of noise come spring, they’ll need their veteran big man not just available-but impactful.