For the primary jiffy of Thursday’s match-up between the Celtics and the Suns, it was a Kevin Durant — Al Horford showdown. Similar to all of us anticipated?
Dealing with off for the twenty sixth time of their skilled careers, the #2 and #3 picks from the 2007 NBA Draft, respectively, every scored 8 factors within the first six minutes. Horford hit a patented three out the gate, and Durant sunk a slew of mid-ranges, simply as he has for the final 17 years within the league.
However, for simply the second time ever, within the Celtics’ 127-112 win towards the Suns, Horford outscored the previous MVP, placing up a season-high 24 factors. Durant completed with 19 factors, and scored simply 5 factors within the closing three quarters.
Horford hit six threes on the night time – tied for the most-ever in his profession – and likewise completed with 3 assists, 3 rebounds, and three steals. He’s now capturing 40.9% from three on the yr, following up a 44.6% three-point common final season.
It was yet one more efficiency that had followers scratching their heads, questioning how an almost 38-year-old middle, who’s logged practically 40,000 NBA minutes, can nonetheless carry out at such a excessive stage.
Although Horford has moved to the bench this season, he’s nonetheless earned 26 begins to this point this yr, oftentimes filling in for Kristaps Porzingis, who has missed 20 video games because of a myriad of accidents.
An enormous Al Horford night time is oftentimes a sign of excellent ball motion and a wholesome offense — Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown draw a lot consideration, collapse the protection, and finally discover their veteran sharpshooter on the proper time. In opposition to the Suns, the Celtics completed with 31 assists, all whereas Jaylen Brown exploded for 37 factors and Jayson Tatum for 26.
“Groups are going to remove your first choice,” Horford advised CLNS Media after the sport. “We’re doing a greater job second, third, even fourth choices into the offense. That simply exhibits the expansion of our group.”
It wasn’t simply the offensive explosion that stood out; Horford was additionally good defensively towards the Suns. He contested 12 pictures – 5 greater than another participant on the courtroom – and deflected 4 passes (for context, the Suns as a workforce collectively deflected solely 6 passes).
“Al’s the OG, however he’s essentially the most dependable participant I’ve ever performed with,” Vacation advised NBC Sports activities Boston’s Abby Chin after the win. “With the ability to be on the courtroom with him is an honor. Being on the market with him, I simply know the whole lot’s going to go properly.”
Jrue Vacation gave the very best reward to Al Horford tonight:
“Al’s the OG, however he’s essentially the most dependable participant I’ve ever performed with. With the ability to be on the courtroom with him is an honor. Being on the market with him, I simply know the whole lot’s going to go properly.”
(By way of @NBCSCeltics) pic.twitter.com/xDToFfzbcm
— Noa Dalzell (@NoaDalzellNBA) March 15, 2024
“Most dependable participant ever.” It’s fairly the praise coming from a man who’s performed with Giannis Antetokounmpo, Andre Iguodala, Rajon Rondo, Anthony Davis — and greater than 200 different NBA gamers. Nevertheless it’s a commonly-held perception within the Celtics locker room that there’s nobody fairly like Al Horford.
Jayson Tatum, who sits with Horford on the workforce airplane and has lengthy thought of him a detailed good friend and mentor, echoed Vacation’s assertion.
“We’ve a lot love and respect for Al and the issues that he’s completed on this league,” Tatum mentioned. “We perceive how precious he’s to our workforce – his presence, on and off the courtroom, his voice, the way in which that he goes about his job each single day, exhibiting up, being there for us. [He’s] the last word teammate, and any individual we’re actually fortunate to have.”