Horford posted zero points (0-2 FG, 0-1 3Pt), five rebounds and one assist across 20 minutes during Thursday's 122-102 win over the Wizards.
Despite a blowout win, Horford was essentially a non-factor against the Wizards. The 38-year-old has accumulated 11 points, eight rebounds, six assists, a steal and a block over the club's first two regular-season games. Horford will likely remain the starter until Kristaps Porzingis (foot) returns, though Luke Kornet and Xavier Tillman are expected to receive significant minutes off the bench.
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Celtics' Al Horford: Receives ring and 26 minutes of run
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Horford registered 11 points (4-7 FG, 3-5 3Pt), three rebounds, five assists, one block and one steal in 30 minutes during Tuesday's 132-109 win over New York.
After crowning his 18-year NBA career by receiving his first NBA championship ring, Horford started for the Celtics and did an excellent job of guarding new Knick center Karl-Anthony Towns. Horford was a major part of an early game run that put Boston up 43 to 24 after the first quarter. The Celtics have their first back-to-back starting November 1st. Expect Boston to rest Big Al for one of those two games, which are both in Charlotte.
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Celtics' Al Horford: Starting in preseason debut
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Horford will enter the starting five in Tuesday's preseason matchup against the Raptors, Blake Murphy of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Horford missed the majority of the preseason due to rest purposes, though he will replace Neemias Queta in the starting five Tuesday. Luke Kornet has been a mainstay in the preseason starting lineup, but Horford's return will push Queta and Kornet back to the bench.
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Celtics' Al Horford: Cleared to make preseason debut
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Horford (rest) will play in Tuesday's preseason game against the Raptors, Blake Murphy of Sportsnet.ca reports.
After getting the veteran rest treatment for the first four exhibitions, Horford makes his preseason debut. With Kristaps Porzingis (foot) sidelined to start the campaign, Horford's availability and impact will be a key storyline early on.
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Celtics' Al Horford: Out once again vs. Toronto
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Horford (rest) has been ruled out of Sunday's preseason game against the Raptors, Jay King of The Athletic reports.
Horford has yet to appear in the preseason, but coach Joe Mazzulla said he expects him to play in the team's preseason finale at Toronto on Tuesday. The veteran will likely compete for the starting spot at center with Luke Kornet (rest) until Kristaps Porzingis (foot) returns.
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Celtics' Al Horford: Not in uniform Saturday
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Horford (rest) is not in uniform and won't play in Saturday's preseason game against the 76ers, Zack Cox of the Boston Herald reports.
Horford won't play in this preseason contest, and it's unclear when he'll next see the court. Boston will play another preseason contest Sunday against the Raptors. The Celtics open their regular season against the Knicks on Oct. 22.
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Celtics' Al Horford: Doesn't play Friday
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Horford (coach's decision) didn't play in Friday's 107-103 preseason win over the Nuggets.
Horford was expected to come off the bench, but he didn't step on the floor, and this could be a sign of the Celtics being extra careful with the veteran. Luke Kornet got the start at center and Xavier Tillman saw minutes off the bench as well, but Horford should be the starter once the regular season begins.
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Celtics' Al Horford: Coming off bench Friday
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Horford will come off the bench for Friday's preseason opener against Denver, Justin Turpin of WEEI.com reports.
Luke Kornet will get the start for the first preseason matchup, and Horford is expected to receive minutes off the bench. With Kristaps Porzingis (foot) expected to miss at least the first month of the season, preseason will likely show who replaces him in the starting lineup to begin the year -- though Horford is still the favorite to step into the starting five.
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Celtics' Al Horford: Nears double-double in Game 5 win
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Horford registered nine points (3-6 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 1-2 FT), nine rebounds, two assists and two steals across 32 minutes during Monday's 106-88 victory over Dallas in Game 5 of the NBA Finals.
Horford was terrific in this year's NBA playoffs for the Celtics, averaging 9.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.8 blocks across 30.3 minutes in 19 games. The 17-year veteran stepped up in the absence of Kristaps Porzingis, who dealt with lower leg and calf injuries throughout the playoffs. These injuries led to Horford starting in all five NBA Finals matchups, where he averaged 7.0 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.2 steals and 0.6 blocks while shooting a stellar 47.1 percent from beyond the arc.
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Celtics' Al Horford: Active on both ends in Game 3
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Horford registered eight points (3-6 FG, 2-5 3Pt), five rebounds, two assists, one block and two steals across 37 minutes during Wednesday's 106-99 win over the Mavericks in Game 3 of the NBA Finals.
Horford plays a secondary role in the Celtics' offensive scheme, though that's not surprising since he shares the court regularly with established superstars such as Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum. However, the veteran big man does all the little things contending teams need to win games consistently, and he regularly finds a way to contribute. Though he's not much of a reliable fantasy option at this point of his career, Horford is averaging 7.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.0 blocks per game in the current NBA Finals.
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Celtics' Al Horford: Decent outing in Game 2 win
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Horford contributed five points (2-4 FG, 1-3 3Pt), seven rebounds, two assists and one steal across 28 minutes during Sunday's 105-98 win over Dallas in Game 2 of the NBA Finals.
Horford scored only five points -- his fewest since Game 3 against the Cavaliers -- but it was enough to get the job done against the Mavericks. Though his scoring can be inconsistent, the veteran has grabbed at least five rebounds in nine straight games and recorded at least one defensive stat in eight consecutive games. Now he and the Celtics go on the road for Game 3, with Horford averaging 9.0 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.7 assists in road postseason games this season.
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Celtics' Al Horford: Plays well in Game 1
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Horford totaled 10 points (4-8 FG, 2-5 3Pt), seven rebounds, three assists and two blocks over 30 minutes during Thursday's 107-89 victory over the Mavericks in Game 1 of the NBA Finals.
With the benches emptying near the end of the fourth quarter and Kristaps Porzingis making his return, Boston needed just 30 minutes out of Horford. In the seven games leading up to Thursday, Horford had averaged 34.6 minutes with only one day of rest between in-series games. Now, the Celtics and Mavericks don't face off again until Sunday, and then Wednesday. That gives the 38-year-old more rest than he's been used to lately, which could help him stay more effective when he's needed the most.
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Celtics' Al Horford: Makes seven threes in Game 3 win
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Horford closed with 23 points (8-14 FG, 7-12 3Pt), five rebounds, three blocks and one steal in 35 minutes during Saturday's 114-111 win over Indiana in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
The Pacers allowed Horford to shoot the ball freely from three-point range, and the veteran big made them pay with a career high in threes made in the postseason. Horford is going through his best stretch of form in the current playoffs, scoring 15 or more points in three of his last four appearances while shooting 48 percent from the field and 42.1 percent from three in that span.
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Celtics' Al Horford: Owns glass in Game 5 double-double
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Horford accumulated 22 points (8-15 FG, 6-13 3Pt), 15 rebounds, five assists, three blocks and one steal in 35 minutes during Wednesday's 113-98 win over the Cavaliers in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Horford dominated the boards in a series-clinching win Wednesday, leading all players in the contest in rebounds to go along with a handful of assists, a team-high trio of blocks and ending as one of two Celtics with 20 or more points in a double-double performance. Horford reached double figures in rebounds for the first time this postseason, also crossing the 20-point mark for the first time.
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Celtics' Al Horford: Starting sans Porzingis
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Horford will enter the starting lineup for Wednesday's Game 5 against the Heat.
Horford played 34 minutes in Game 4 with Kristaps Porzingis (calf) going down with an injury in the first half. With Porzingis sidelined Wednesday -- and likely longer -- Horford will step into the starting center role, where he's expected to remain until Porzingis returns.
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Celtics' Al Horford: Increased role Monday
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Horford supplied seven points (3-5 FG, 1-3 3Pt), eight rebounds, two assists and one steal in 34 minutes during Monday's 102-88 win over the Heat in Game 4 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Horford was forced into an increased role Monday, thanks to a calf injury to Kristaps Porzingis. While initial reports indicate that Porzingis has avoided anything serious, there is certainly a chance he will miss at least the next game. Should that be the case, Horford would likely slide into the starting lineup.
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Celtics' Al Horford: Out for Sunday
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Horford (rest) will not play Sunday against the Wizards.
The Celtics are resting Horford along with their five usual starters Sunday as they rest up for the postseason. Luke Kornet could be a busy man in the frontcourt as a result.
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Celtics' Al Horford: Won't play against Charlotte
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Horford (toe) is out for Friday's game versus the Hornets, Justin Turpin of WEEI.com reports.
Horford has been downgraded from questionable to out Friday due to a left toe sprain. With Kristaps Porzingis (hamstring) also out, Xavier Tillman and Luke Kornet should receive increased playing time. Horford's next chance to suit up is Sunday's matchup with Washington.
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Celtics' Al Horford: Questionable for Friday's matchup
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Horford (toe) is questionable for Friday's game against the Hornets, Taylor Snow of the Celtics' official site reports.
The Celtics have been cautious with Horford's workload in back-to-back sets this year, and although he returned from a one-game absence Thursday against the Knicks, it wouldn't be surprising to see him rest Friday as he continues to deal with a left big toe sprain. If he's unavailable, Oshae Brissett, Xavier Tillman and Luke Kornet are candidates to see increased work.
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Celtics' Al Horford: Questionable for Thursday's game
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Horford (toe) is questionable for Thursday's game against New York, Justin Turpin of WEEI.com reports.
Horford missed Tuesday's game against the Bucks, and it's unclear whether he'll be able to return for the first half of a back-to-back set Thursday. If he's sidelined, Luke Kornet and Xavier Tillman (knee) could see additional minutes.
