Al Horford Out Game 1 vs. Heat, Could Miss Game 2, per Report

The center is out for Game 1 vs. Heat due to entering health and safety protocols Tuesday.

Hours before Game 1 of the Celtics-Heat Eastern Conference finals, Boston announced that starting center Al Horford entered health and safety protocols and would miss Tuesday night’s game.

The announcement came as a surprise after Horford appeared in a Twitter video Tuesday afternoon highlighting the team’s practices leading up to Game 1. This is Horford’s first playoff absence this season.

locked in 🔒 pic.twitter.com/RyCxTaVVHA

— Boston Celtics (@celtics) May 17, 2022

According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Horford is expected to remain in health and safety protocols through Game 2 on Thursday night. Grant Williams is expected to start in Horford’s place.

Horford’s absence leaves Boston without two starters In Game 1, as Marcus Smart will also be sidelined by a foot sprain he suffered against the Bucks in the second round.

In good news for the Celtics, center Robert Williams is returning for Game 1 after missing the last four games due to left knee soreness.

Horford’s absence is a big loss defensively for the Celtics as he leads the team in rebounds with an average of 9.4 per game during the playoffs. His postseason highlight came when he scored a playoff career-high 30 points In Boston’s Game 4 win vs. the Bucks during the conference semifinals.

In his last appearance on Sunday in Game 7 vs. the Bucks, Horford finished with six points, 10 rebounds, six assists and one block in 40 minutes.