“At one level, I wasn’t teaching, I used to be simply watching him and I used to be like, ‘man, this man’s a Corridor of Famer and I get to observe this without spending a dime,’” Joe Mazzulla mentioned of Al Horford after the Celtics 111-101 win over the Lakers on Saturday night time.
Joe Mazzulla on Al Horford:
“At one level, I wasn’t teaching. I used to be simply watching him. I used to be like, ‘Man, this man’s a future Corridor of Famer. I get to observe this without spending a dime.’ … Hes simply an innate competitor.” pic.twitter.com/rppIuUWIUU
— Justin Turpin (@JustinmTurpin) March 9, 2025
Horford stuffed the stat sheet with 14 factors, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals and 1 block. Nonetheless, it was his protection that made the most important influence on the sport.
For lots of the sport, LeBron James and Luka Doncic elected to go at Horford and like he all the time does, Al held up and performed extraordinarily nicely.
That is what Horford nonetheless does at 38 years outdated. He’s able to switching on to one of the best gamers within the league and guarding at a excessive stage. In line with NBA.com’s hustle information, he contested 10 pictures tonight, 6 of which have been 3 level makes an attempt.
Lakers coach JJ Redick mentioned it after the sport, “Al Horford’s superior nonetheless. He nonetheless strikes his ft and does a extremely good job defensively.”
He’s even breaking apart lobs!
This can be a improbable play by Al. Payton is late on the change so Doncic will get to the cup. Horford has to step up which results in Luka throwing a lob to Jarred Vanderbilt and Massive Al breaks up the lob by leaping and making an ideal play.
Like Mazzulla, Jayson Tatum had nothing however reward for Horford.
“Al’s one of the best teammate I ever had,” Tatum advised ABC’s Lisa Salters. “The final word skilled, one of the best teammate, the man that confirmed me the best way after I was 19 after I got here into the league. A lot of what I’ve been ready accomplish is as a result of I’ve been round him. So we wouldn’t be who we’re with out Al.”
Jayson Tatum on Al Horford:
“Al’s one of the best teammate I’ve ever had… man that confirmed me the best way after I was 19… a lot of what I’ve been ready accomplish is as a result of I’ve been round him. So we wouldn’t be who we’re with out Al.” pic.twitter.com/q9Fodci5Pw
— (@lockedupjb) March 9, 2025
It was not simply on the defensive finish that Horford confirmed out on. He had some moments on the offensive finish as nicely — extra particularly, when Austin Reaves was guarding him within the submit.
Horford will get the change on the decide and roll and will get Reaves on his again hip. Vanderbilt comes over to assist however he doesn’t have an effect on Al an excessive amount of and he finishes simply.
This can be a easy submit up. Horford has Reaves sealed low on the basket, one energy dribble and he completed proper by way of Reaves who offers little or no resistance.
He would not end this one however that spin was too fairly for me to not embrace. He catches on the block, frees himself with a ravishing spin, however Vanderbilt is there with assist and Reaves is ready to get better sufficient to have an effect on Al so he smokes the layup.
It was an unbelievable night time for Horford, one more for him throughout a Celtics profession that has been full of unbelievable video games.
I nonetheless can’t consider that 64 footer on the finish of the third quarter didn’t drop.
