“At one point, I wasn’t coaching, I was just watching him and I was like, ‘man, this guy’s a Hall of Famer and I get to watch this for free,’” Joe Mazzulla said of Al Horford after the Celtics 111-101 win over the Lakers on Saturday night.
Joe Mazzulla on Al Horford:
“At one point, I wasn’t coaching. I was just watching him. I was like, ‘Man, this guy’s a future Hall of Famer. I get to watch this for free.’ … Hes just an innate competitor.” pic.twitter.com/rppIuUWIUU
— Justin Turpin (@JustinmTurpin) March 9, 2025
Horford stuffed the stat sheet with 14 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals and 1 block. However, it was his defense that made the biggest impact on the game.
For a lot of the game, LeBron James and Luka Doncic elected to go at Horford and like he always does, Al held up and played extremely well.
This is what Horford still does at 38 years old. He is capable of switching on to the best players in the league and guarding at a high level. According to NBA.com’s hustle data, he contested 10 shots tonight, 6 of which were 3 point attempts.
Lakers coach JJ Redick said it after the game, “Al Horford’s awesome still. He still moves his feet and does a really good job defensively.”
He is even breaking up lobs!
This is a fantastic play by Al. Payton is late on the switch so Doncic gets to the cup. Horford has to step up which leads to Luka throwing a lob to Jarred Vanderbilt and Big Al breaks up the lob by jumping and making a great play.
Like Mazzulla, Jayson Tatum had nothing but praise for Horford.
“Al’s the best teammate I ever had,” Tatum told ABC’s Lisa Salters. “The ultimate professional, the best teammate, the guy that showed me the way when I was 19 when I came into the league. So much of what I’ve been able accomplish is because I’ve been around him. So we wouldn’t be who we are without Al.”
Jayson Tatum on Al Horford:
“Al’s the best teammate I’ve ever had… guy that showed me the way when I was 19… so much of what I’ve been able accomplish is because I’ve been around him. So we wouldn’t be who we are without Al.” pic.twitter.com/q9Fodci5Pw
— (@lockedupjb) March 9, 2025
It was not just on the defensive end that Horford showed out on. He had some moments on the offensive end as well — more specifically, when Austin Reaves was guarding him in the post.
Horford gets the switch on the pick and roll and gets Reaves on his back hip. Vanderbilt comes over to help but he doesn’t affect Al too much and he finishes easily.
This is a simple post up. Horford has Reaves sealed low at the basket, one power dribble and he finished right through Reaves who provides very little resistance.
He doesn’t finish this one but that spin was too pretty for me not to include. He catches on the block, frees himself with a beautiful spin, but Vanderbilt is there with help and Reaves is able to recover enough to affect Al so he smokes the layup.
It was an incredible night for Horford, yet another for him during a Celtics career that has been filled with incredible games.
I still can’t believe that 64 footer at the end of the third quarter didn’t drop.
