Golden State Warriors veteran Al Horford discussed Thursday’s matchup against the Boston Celtics, emphasizing both the competitive and personal significance of facing his former team.
“It’s exciting for me just from a standpoint that I get to see a lot of people that I care about and we’ll compete on the court,” Horford said Wednesday. “My son’s been raving about seeing a lot of the guys and seeing a lot of the coaches. So like the whole thing is just, you know, it’ll be cool.”
Horford, who signed a two-year, $12 million deal with the Warriors on October 1, 2025, described the early part of the season as a learning experience. “Even though this is going into my 19th year, every season comes with different challenges and situations,” he said. “Being in a new place, trying to learn and understand how everything works, has been a big learning experience for me.”
The center highlighted the importance of health for Golden State as it navigates the rest of the season. “The biggest thing for our group is health,” Horford explained. “Just being able to get everybody available who we have and see what we can do. Kristaps was able to participate today. Looked great. His timing was good, overall energy, everything.”
Porzingis’ offensive versatility remains a key component of the team’s plans, especially with Jimmy Butler III recovering from right ACL surgery. “His ability to score the ball, offensively, he’s really going to help us,” Horford said. “He can score at different levels and enforce a lot of problems.”
Golden State faces a challenging Celtics roster, particularly with Jayson Tatum sidelined due to a right Achilles injury. Horford acknowledged Boston’s resilience, noting, “I have not been surprised because of Joe [Mazzulla] and the culture that has been established. Probably the most surprising part has been the growth of Neemias and Jordan Walsh. They’ve really taken huge steps in their development.”
Despite the Warriors dealing with the absences of Stephen Curry, Seth Curry, and Butler, Horford remains focused on contributing to team success. “I continue to try to figure out how I can impact winning. That’s always my mindset,” he said. The 39-year-old center is averaging 7.6 points and 4.9 rebounds over 20.6 minutes per game this season.
Horford also reflected on his transition to the Bay Area, noting the smooth adjustment for his family. “Our transition has gone very well. My wife and kids, everybody’s very happy. That part has been seamless for us,” he said. The matchup at Chase Center marks the first of the season between the teams, with the Celtics holding a 35-19 record and the Warriors 29-26.
