On Monday, it was revealed why Oklahoma City Thunder center Al Horford had been away from the team.
Horford was with his wife, Amelia Vega, in Oklahoma City as she went into labor and gave birth to their daughter. The girl, Nova, is the fourth child of Vega and Horford.
Officially listed as out for “personal reasons” against the Chicago Bulls on Friday and then in line to miss the game against the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday that was eventually postponed, the birth announcement posted to Vega’s Instagram account gave the specific reason.
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
“Obviously we’re really happy for him,” head coach Mark Daigneault said. “I didn’t want to make that announcement on his behalf.”
Horford will, obviously, miss the game against the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday.
Daigneault said there isn’t yet a timetable for Horford’s return. The Thunder on Tuesday begin a five-game road trip that will go through Jan. 27.
Horford is not only expected to spend more time with family, but due to COVID-19 restrictions, he wouldn’t even be able to immediately rejoin the team without going through protocol.
This season, Horford is averaging 11.1 points, 7.1 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 27.1 minutes per game.