Al Horford was the Boston Celtics’ core veteran during the three seasons he played for the franchise, with his leadership helping stabilize a relatively young team.
Though Horford is now with the Philadelphia 76ers, Celtics wing Jaylen Brown wants Celtics fans to show their appreciation for Horford. On Thursday night, Horford will return to TD Garden for the first time since signing with the Sixers in free agency over the offseason. The Sixers and Celtics will tip off at 8 p.m. EST.
Here’s what Brown said on Horford, per Adam Himmelsbach of the Boston Globe.
“I think he should be celebrated, in my opinion,” Brown said after the Celtics’ 122-117 loss to the Pacers on Wednesday. “Boston fans, they’re going to do what they want regardless, but Al came here and contributed, took this team the farthest it’s been since [making the Finals in 2010]. I think Al served his time well here. For me, he was a great leader, a great person to carry us every step of the way, so I know I’ll clap for him when they call his name.”
Per Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer, Horford is listed as questionable for Thursday’s game because of left hamstring tightness and left knee soreness.
#Sixers PF Al Horford underwent treatment this morning for left knee soreness and left hamstring tightness and is now considered questionable for tonight’s game. Went through shootaround. His status for tonight’s game will be updated as appropriate.
— Keith Pompey (@PompeyOnSixers) December 12, 2019
Horford helped the Celtics go to the playoffs each of the three seasons he played for the franchise. The Celtics lost the Eastern Conference Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Horford’s two first seasons with the team. Last season, the Celtics lost in the second round of the playoffs to the Milwaukee Bucks.
During his stint with the Celtics, Horford had some of his best years. During the 2016-17 season, he posted a career-high 5.0 assists per game; his top three assists per game numbers are from his three seasons in Boston.
He averaged 13.5 points, grabbed 7.0 rebounds and shot 38.2% from the 3-point line during his time with the Celtics. This season, Horford is averaging 13.8 points, 6.8 rebounds and shooting 36.6% from deep.
Though he plays for the rival Sixers, Celtics fans should show their gratitude for what Horford did for the franchise.
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