Horford posted 10 points (4-7 FG, 2-4 3Pt) and two rebounds in 27 minutes during Friday's 119-81 loss to the Knicks in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Horford didn't have a tangible impact, going down with the ship as Boston was bundled out of the playoffs. Tasked with playing a bigger role than expected during the postseason due to the fact that Kristaps Porzingis was dealing with an ongoing illness, Horford had some moments but was largely a wash, at best. He played 60 games during the regular season, averaging 9.0 points, 6.2 rebounds and 0.9 blocks in 27.6 minutes per game.
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Celtics' Al Horford: Quiet in Game 4 loss
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Horford ended Monday's 121-113 loss to the Knicks in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals with five points (1-2 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 2-2 FT), five rebounds, four assists and two steals across 37 minutes.
Jayson Tatum suffered an apparent right lower-leg injury and is scheduled to undergo an MRI on Tuesday, so the odds are stacked against Boston with the franchise facing a 3-1 series deficit. If Tatum cannot play in Game 5, Horford would likely need to soak up some usage for the Celtics after attempting a mere two shots in Game 4.
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Celtics' Al Horford: Nears double-double in win
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Horford logged 15 points (6-9 FG, 3-4 3Pt), nine rebounds, two blocks and one assist in 35 minutes during Saturday's 115-93 win over the Knicks in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Horford recorded his highest point total since March 31 in the victory, tying the team-high mark in rebounds as well. The veteran big man also chipped in multiple blocks for the third time over eight playoff appearances. Horford has averaged 8.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, 1.3 blocks and 1.0 steals across 32.7 minutes per game in three second-round appearances (two starts).
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Celtics' Al Horford: Will start Game 2
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Horford will be in the starting lineup for Game 2 against the Knicks, Justin Turpin of WEEI.com reports.
Horford will be a starter for the fifth time during this playoff run, as he will replace Kristaps Porzingis in the first unit. In the four previous starts, Horford has averaged 7.5 points, 7.3 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game, shooting 44.4 percent and 36.4 percent from beyond the arc.
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Celtics' Al Horford: Quiet despite increased role
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Horford closed Monday's 108-105 overtime loss to the Knicks in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals with seven points (2-6 FG, 1-5 3Pt, 2-2 FT), seven rebounds and one block over 34 minutes.
Horford shifted into a larger role after Kristaps Porzingis was ruled out after just 13 minutes due to an illness. Now at the back end of his career, Horford was unable to take advantage of the promotion. While he can still be a meaningful contributor, the Celtics will be sweating on the health of Porzingis heading into Game 2.
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Celtics' Al Horford: Reverting back to bench Monday
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Horford won't start in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference second-round series against the Knicks on Monday.
The veteran big man will retreat to the second unit due to Jrue Holiday (hamstring) returning from a three-game absence. Horford averaged 7.0 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.8 blocks across 32.0 minutes per game in five outings (four starts) during the club's first-round series win over the Magic.
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Celtics' Al Horford: Five blocks in Game 4 win
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Horford chipped in six points (2-7 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 2-2 FT), six rebounds, two assists and five blocks across 35 minutes during Sunday's 107-98 win over Orlando in Game 4 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Horford made an impact in Game 4 defensively, recording a game-high five blocks. Although the veteran big man isn't the same versatile player he once was earlier in his career, he can still make his presence felt on the court occasionally as an ideal role player for Boston, whether as a starter or off the bench.
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Celtics' Al Horford: Nears double-double in win
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Horford racked up nine points (4-10 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 0-1 FT), 10 rebounds, one assist and one block over 32 minutes during Wednesday's 109-100 win over the Magic in Game 2 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.
With Jayson Tatum (wrist) on the mend, Horford got the start in Game 2 and came one point short of a double-double. The veteran big man might not be the player he once was, but he can still make an impact on the basketball floor, especially when he's called upon to step up due to the absence of the Celtics' best player.
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Celtics' Al Horford: Starting sans Tatum
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Horford will be in the starting lineup for the Celtics on Wednesday against the Magic, Sean Grande of NBC Sports Boston reports.
With Tatum (wrist) set to miss Game 2, Horford will make his first start in the playoffs during this postseason run. The veteran big man is coming off a muted performance in Game 1, finishing with five points, five rebounds, three assists and one steal across 25 minutes.
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Celtics' Al Horford: Muted performance in win
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Horford ended Sunday's 103-86 win over Orlando in Game 1 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs with five points (2-3 FG, 1-1 3Pt), five rebounds, three assists and one steal across 25 minutes.
Horford, much like teammate Kristaps Porzingis, didn't make an impact offensively in the Game 1 win against Orlando. The two veteran big men combined for 10 points Sunday, but it didn't matter, as Boston was still able to crush the Magic by 17 to take the 1-0 series lead.
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Celtics' Al Horford: Fades injury report
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Horford (knee) is not on the injury report ahead of Sunday's Game 1 against the Magic, John Karalis of BostonSportsJournal.com reports.
Horford spent most of the season on the injury report due to a left big toe sprain, but he missed three of the final four games of the regular season due to a right knee sprain. The week off has benefited the veteran big man, and he's been given the green light to play in Boston's postseason opener Sunday. In 17 regular-season games since the All-Star break, Horford averaged 11.6 points, 7.7 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 30.1 minutes per game while connecting on 38.5 percent of his three-point attempts over that span.
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Celtics' Al Horford: Available for Sunday
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Horford, who missed Sunday's regular-season finale against the Hornets due to a right knee sprain, is expected to be ready for the start of the postseason.
The Celtics sat out most of their top players Sunday, as they had already secured their playoff seeding a while back. Horford made a total of 60 regular-season appearances, averaging 9.0 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 0.9 blocks and 1.9 three-pointers in 27.6 minutes per contest.
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Celtics' Al Horford: Out for regular-season finale
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Horford is out for Sunday's game against the Hornets due to a right knee sprain.
The Celtics will rest all their top players for the regular-season finale, meaning Boston will give extended minutes to non-regulars for this matchup versus Charlotte. Horford will have almost a week of rest before the Celtics start their playoff run on April 19 against a to-be-determined opponent. This means Luke Kornet and Neemias Queta are likely to handle an expanded role in the frontcourt Sunday.
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Celtics' Al Horford: Double-double against Charlotte
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Horford finished Friday's 130-94 victory over the Hornets with 13 points (5-10 FG, 3-6 3Pt), 11 rebounds, one block and one steal across 27 minutes.
Horford missed the Celtics' last two games due to a knee injury, but he was inserted into the starting lineup due to the absence of Jaylen Brown (knee). Horford proceeded to lead the Celtics in rebounds and logged his seventh double-double of the season. With Boston locked in as the No. 2 seed, the veteran big man will likely be held out of Sunday's regular-season finale against the Hornets.
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Celtics' Al Horford: Starting against Charlotte
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Horford is in the Celtics' starting lineup against the Hornets on Friday.
Horford will return Friday from a one-game absence due to a knee injury, and he'll make his 42nd start of the season due to Jaylen Brown (knee) being sidelined. With the Celtics locked in as the No. 2 seed in the East, Horford will likely cede some of his minutes to Luke Kornet, Neemias Queta and Xavier Tillman.
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Celtics' Al Horford: Will play against Charlotte
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Horford (knee) has been cleared to play in Friday's game against the Hornets, Justin Turpin of WEEI.com reports.
Horford will return to the floor Friday after a two-game absence due to a knee issue. The veteran big man has put up some decent numbers over the last seven games, averaging 11.9 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.1 assists per while shooting 43.5 percent from the field and 34.8 percent from deep.
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Celtics' Al Horford: Another absence coming
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Horford (knee) will not play Wednesday against the Magic, Justin Turpin of WEEI.com reports.
Horford will miss his second game in a row with a right knee sprain. Presumably, the Celtics are being cautious since they have their No. 2 seed locked up. Horford's next chance to play will be Friday against the Hornets.
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Celtics' Al Horford: Not playing Tuesday
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Horford (knee) has been ruled out for Tuesday's game against the Knicks, Justin Turpin of WEEI.com reports.
Horford has been a mainstay on the injury report due to a left big toe sprain, but he is now dealing with a right knee sprain that will keep him out of Tuesday's Atlantic Division clash. With Horford out and Kristaps Porzingis (illness) questionable, there will be more minutes off the bench for Luke Kornet, Neemias Queta and Xavier Tillman. Horford's next chance to play is Wednesday against the Magic.
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Celtics' Al Horford: Will start Sunday
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Horford will start Sunday's game against the Wizards, Sean Grande of NBC Sports Boston reports.
With Jayson Tatum (ankle) and Kristaps Porzingis (illness) unavailable, Horford and Luke Kornet will start in the frontcourt. As a starter this season, Horford has averaged 9.7 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.7 steals-plus-blocks in 29.6 minutes per game.
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Celtics' Al Horford: Will play vs. Phoenix
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Horford (toe) has been cleared to play Friday against the Suns, John Karalis of BostonSportsJournal.com reports.
After missing three of the last five games for the Celtics with a toe injury, Horford will be back on the floor Friday against Phoenix. The veteran big man has played well over the last three games for Boston, averaging 18.7 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.0 blocks per game, shooting 50 percent from the floor and 38.5 percent from deep.
