Horford (illness) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Wizards, Justin Turpin of WEEI.com reports.
Horford was a late addition to the injury report due to a non-COVID illness and will miss his second game over the Celtics' last four outings. With the veteran big man out, Neemias Queta will likely draw the start with Luke Kornet seeing an uptick in playing time off the bench.
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Celtics' Al Horford: Pops for season-high 20 on Tuesday
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Horford provided 20 points (7-11 FG, 4-5 3Pt, 2-2 FT), seven rebounds, one assist and three blocks across 32 minutes during Tuesday's 120-117 win over the Cavaliers.
It was a season high in scoring for the 38-year-old big, and Horford continues to give the Celtics reliable minutes in the frontcourt. He's drained multiple three-pointers in six straight starts, averaging 13.0 points, 6.5 boards, 3.0 threes, 2.0 assists and 1.0 blocks over that stretch while shooting 50.9 percent from the floor and 45.0 percent (18-for-40) from beyond the arc.
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Celtics' Al Horford: Knocks down five threes vs. Raptors
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Horford produced 18 points (6-11 FG, 5-10 3Pt, 1-1 FT), four rebounds, two assists, one block and one steal across 32 minutes during Saturday's 126-123 overtime win over Toronto.
Horford returned to the starting lineup Saturday after sitting Wednesday against the Nets due to rest and a left big toe sprain. The veteran big man isn't a focal point in the Celtics' offense, but with the Raptors' defense honed in on Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, Horford saw plenty of open looks from beyond the arc and tied a season high with five three-pointers. Horford is averaging 9.4 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.0 steals over 27.0 minutes per game.
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Celtics' Al Horford: Not on injury report
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Horford (toe) is not on the injury report and will be available for Saturday's game against the Raptors, Justin Turpin of WEEI.com reports.
Even though Horford missed Wednesday's game against the Nets due to what was listed as a toe injury, it was essentially a rest day for the veteran. As such, his return here shouldn't be surprising. Look for Horford to recover his regular starting role while handling his regular workload Saturday against Toronto. This means the likes of Neemias Queta and Luke Kornet should experience a reduction in their minutes.
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Celtics' Al Horford: Won't play Wednesday
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Horford will not play Wednesday against the Nets due to a left big toe sprain, Marc D'Amico of the Celtics' official site reports.
Though Horford is being listed with an injury, he's essentially getting Wednesday's contest off for rest purposes since the Celtics are playing on the second leg of this back-to-back set. With Horford sidelined, Neemias Queta is likely to pick up the bulk of the center minutes with Luke Kornet stepping up as well.
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Celtics' Al Horford: Plays through toe issue
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Horford closed Tuesday's 117-116 loss to the Hawks with eight points (3-5 FG, 2-4 3Pt), four rebounds and two assists over 26 minutes.
Horford offered very little in terms of tangible production, playing through a toe injury on the first night of a back-to-back set. Given what we know about how the Celtics intend to utilize the veteran, there is a very real chance we see him in street clothes when they face the Nets on Wednesday. While Horford is a key piece for Boston, his role will reduce at some point when Kristaps Porzingis (ankle) returns to the lineup.
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Celtics' Al Horford: Set to play against Atlanta
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Horford (toe) is available for Tuesday's game versus the Hawks, Justin Turpin of WEEI.com reports.
Horford has been upgraded from questionable to available Tuesday despite dealing with a left big toe sprain. The veteran big man is averaging 8.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.2 steals in 28.4 minutes across his last five appearances. While Horford will be available Tuesday, he's expected to be sidelined for the second night of Boston's back-to-back set Wednesday in Brooklyn.
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Celtics' Al Horford: Iffy for Tuesday
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Horford is questionable for Tuesday's game against the Hawks due to a left big toe sprain, Taylor Snow of the Celtics' official site reports.
Tuesday is the first half of a back-to-back set, and Horford is expected to miss at least one of those games. When he's sidelined, Neemias Queta, Luke Kornet and Xavier Tillman are candidates for increased roles.
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Celtics' Al Horford: Double-double vs. Brooklyn
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Horford tallied 13 points (5-12 FG, 3-9 3Pt), 10 rebounds, one steal and one block over 31 minutes in Friday's 108-104 overtime win over the Nets.
Horford saw extended playing time Friday as Luke Kornet was sidelined due to a left hamstring injury. Horford managed to reach double-digit scoring for the fifth time this season while logging his first double-double of the 2024-25 campaign. The 18-year NBA veteran won't be leaned on heavily in the Celtics' offense, but Horford will have nights when he can turn back the clock and supply some production with his shooting and rebounding.
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Celtics' Al Horford: Good to go against Charlotte
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Horford (rest) isn't on the injury report for Saturday's game versus the Hornets, Taylor Snow of the Celtics' official site reports.
Horford will return to action Saturday after sitting out the first leg of Boston's back-to-back for rest purposes. The veteran big man will re-enter the starting lineup with Jaylen Brown (hip) out.
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Celtics' Al Horford: Won't play Friday
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Horford won't play Friday against the Hornets due to load management, Taylor Snow of the Celtics' official site reports.
Horford will get the first night of a back-to-back set off but should be available for Saturday's rematch against Charlotte. In Horford's absence, Luke Kornet, Xavier Tillman and Neemias Queta should cover all the available minutes at center.
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Celtics' Al Horford: Quiet in blowout victory
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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.
