Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Celtics Praise Al Horford, Who May Have to Sacrifice Most: 'Critical Piece to Our Team and Our Locker Room'
Including the playoffs, Al Horford has played in 1180 NBA games; he's started all but 12 of those.
But while he's still playing at a high level, the Boston Celtics have the best top six in the NBA and better depth at guard, with Payton Pritchard backing up Jrue Holiday and Derrick White than they do at center.
Most nights, bringing in the former Florida Gator off the bench, making it easier to pace him and Kristaps Porzingis, will be best for the team.
It's a sacrifice Horford, like his teammates, has expressed a willingness to embrace.
Tuesday, he walked the walk, coming off the pine in a 123-110 win over the New York Knicks.
Upon entering the game for Derrick White at the 6:12 mark in the first quarter, the 16-year veteran quickly made an impact, including earning a Tommy Point.
He registered eight points, three rebounds, three assists, a block, and a steal in the victory. He also had a game-high plus-17 plus-minus rating.
After the win, Jayson Tatum, who led all scorers with 28 points, conveyed the following about Horford.
"It's not easy, sacrificing, but, at some point, we all have to do it. Like tonight, Al came off the bench. You know, I have the utmost respect for Al. And if Al can come off the bench at this stage in his career, nobody should have anything to say if you are the guy that has to come off the bench or if Joe takes you out of the game, or if you don't finish, everybody has to have that team first mindset to accomplish what we're trying to do."
And Horford's head coach, Joe Mazzulla, had this to say.
"I thought he did a great job. I think Al's the kind of guy where it really doesn't matter what he does, he's gonna be ready to play, (and) he's gonna do what's best for the team. We had three clips at halftime, and all three were him and the possessions that he had and the energy that he brought. And so regardless of who's starting or who's not, Al's a critical piece to our team and our locker room, and he seems to be the guy that always makes the right play on both ends of the floor, and we can't take that for granted."
Further Reading
Celtics Embracing Sacrifice in Championship Pursuit: 'Have to Buy into That'
The Latest on Celtics' Extension Talks with Derrick White
Al Horford Shares Where Kristaps Porzingis Has Impressed Him Most
Under Joe Mazzulla, Celtics Rebuilding Brotherhood Between Past and Present
