Al Horford #42 of the Boston Celtics
In a thrilling conclusion to the NBA Finals, the Boston Celtics secured their 18th championship title in franchise history earlier this week, triumphing over the Dallas Mavericks. The victory was particularly significant for veteran player Al Horford, who finally ended his long title drought.
Horford, who previously held the record for the most playoff games played before winning a championship, reached a milestone in Game 5 against the Mavericks. This game marked his 186th playoff appearance, surpassing a notable threshold. The all-time record for most playoff games without a championship belongs to Karl Malone, who played in 193 postseason games without clinching a title.
Now officially an NBA champion, the focus shifts to Al Horford’s future. The 2023-24 season marked his 17th year in the league. The No. 3 pick from the 2007 NBA Draft out of Florida, Horford celebrated his 37th birthday on June 3rd. Despite his age, retirement does not seem to be on his immediate agenda.
In an interview with ESPN, Horford addressed his plans, stating, “For me, I never really put a timeframe on it. I want to make sure that I feel healthy, that I’m enjoying what I’m doing and for me, thankfully, I have my wife’s support and my family’s. That’s a big deal to me. … I feel like I’ve been asked this for a few years now and I feel good, I want to keep playing. Why not keep going? I don’t want to limit myself.”
Horford’s health and performance this past season support his desire to continue. He played in 65 regular season games and all 19 postseason games, starting in 15 of them. Horford stepped up as the center after Kristaps Porzingis suffered a calf injury against the Miami Heat in the first round. His contributions were critical, as he led the NBA with a 72.1% shooting percentage on 2-point attempts and maintained a solid 36.8% from beyond the arc. Over the season, he averaged 9.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in 30.3 minutes per game.
Losing Horford to retirement would indeed be a significant setback for the Boston Celtics. He has proven that he remains a valuable asset and an integral part of their rotation. Fortunately for the Celtics, it appears they can count on Horford’s presence and contributions for at least another season. His determination and resilience will undoubtedly be crucial as the team looks to defend their championship title.
