Al Horford came to the Golden State Warriors energized by the idea of contributing to a new contender, but his early stretch in Golden State hasn’t unfolded the way he envisioned.
The 39-year-old center has been available for just 13 of the team’s first 23 games and is averaging 5.6 points and 4.4 rebounds in 21.5 minutes.
Speaking with Nick Friedell of The Athletic, Horford acknowledged that his play hasn’t met his own expectations.
“I’m not where I want to be,” Horford said. “I would say I haven’t been very good. I understand that there’s a lot of work ahead of me, there’s more that I need to do, and I need to be better, and I feel like I will. But right now, I’m not where I want to be.”
Part of the challenge has been his health. Horford recently returned after missing roughly two weeks due to sciatica, and the Warriors, like the Celtics before them, are avoiding playing him in both halves of back-to-back sets to limit wear on his body.
Following his 18-minute appearance Thursday in Philadelphia, Horford said he believes he’s beginning to feel more like himself.
“I felt pretty good tonight,” he said. “Obviously, not playing or anything, that’s always challenging, so trying to get my legs back under me, but it’s just nice to get back on the floor. Things didn’t go our way tonight, the game didn’t go our way, I’m still trying to find myself as well, but I was encouraged with some of the things tonight.”
Warriors Notes: Horford, Green, Curry, Richard, A. Davis https://t.co/WhUpcWp05j pic.twitter.com/uaKXJvXILn
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) December 6, 2025
