Horford provided 12 points (4-7 FG, 3-6 3Pt, 1-2 FT), seven rebounds, four assists and one block over 25 minutes during Tuesday's 116-99 win over Miami in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
Horford's best scoring total of the series came at the right time, as the Boston frontcourt held steady in the do-or-die contest. The veteran struggled through tepid scoring and below-average rebounding over the first three games against the Heat, but Game 4 was a significant turnaround despite him almost fouling out. Although Horford isn't known for long-range proficiency, he nailed three of six attempts beyond the arc in the blowout.
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Celtics' Al Horford: Grabs 10 rebounds in win
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Horford supplied six points (2-6 FG, 2-5 3Pt), 10 rebounds, three assists, three blocks and two steals across 34 minutes during Sunday's 112-88 win over the 76ers in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Horford out-rebounded the NBA MVP in Game 7, and although he didn't take many shots, he bested Joel Embiid off the glass. Horford struggled to score throughout the series but was able to log double-digit rebound totals in two games during the series against the Sixers. The Heat may prove to be a tougher test for Horford, who failed to post double-digit scoring and rebound totals over three games against Miami this season.
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Celtics' Al Horford: Struggles offensively
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Horford ended Thursday's 95-86 victory over the 76ers in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals with two points (1-5 FG, 0-2 3Pt), 11 rebounds, one assist, one block and one steal in 39 minutes.
Horford continues to struggle on the offensive end of the floor, managing just two points on 1-of-5 shooting, and those two points represent his grand total over the past two games. While he is still impacting the game in other ways, the Celtics would love for him to find some rhythm, if only to take some of the pressure off the likes of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.
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Celtics' Al Horford: Clutch shooting in win
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Horford recorded 17 points (6-8 FG, 5-7 3Pt), seven rebounds, two assists and two steals in 31 minutes during Friday's 114-102 win over the 76ers in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Horford played a key role Friday, nailing a team-high five three-pointers, including a number of clutch baskets. With all five starters scoring in double digits, the Celtics were able to hold off the 76ers, taking back home-court advantage in the process. Game 4 will be in Philadelphia on Sunday, where the Celtics will look to once again assert their dominance.
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Celtics' Al Horford: Strong two-way effort Thursday
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Horford registered 10 points (4-8 FG, 2-6 3Pt), 12 rebounds, four assists, three blocks and two steals across 30 minutes during Thursday's 128-120 win over the Hawks in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals.
Horford had his best game of the series, notching a double-double to go with five combined steals and blocks. These are the numbers Celtics fans would love to see from Horford on a more regular basis. However, now edging toward the back end of his career at 36 years old, performances such as this only come along every so often.
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Celtics' Al Horford: Blocks five shots
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Horford ended Tuesday's 119-117 loss to the Hawks in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals with three points (1-5 FG, 1-3 3Pt), six rebounds, five assists, five blocks and one steal across 33 minutes.
Horford struggled on the offensive end but salvaged his evening with six combined steals and blocks. With Robert Williams unable to rack his usual allotment of blocks, Horford took it upon himself to anchor the defense. The Celtics have now lost two consecutive contests and will head to Atlanta for Game 6 with the Hawks full of confidence.
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Celtics' Al Horford: Grabs 11 boards in Game 4 win
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Horford finished Sunday's 129-121 victory over Atlanta in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals with zero points (0-2 FG, 0-2 3Pt), 11 rebounds, five assists and two steals across 34 minutes.
Horford was held scoreless in Game 4, but he finished with his most rebounds, assists and steals of the opening-round series. The veteran big man hasn't been aggressive offensively over the first four playoff matchups against Atlanta and has averaged just 5.5 points (4.8 attempts), 7.0 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.3 blocks and 1.0 steals in 33.3 minutes per game.
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Celtics' Al Horford: Quiet in Game 3 loss
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Horford amassed eight points (3-7 FG, 2-6 3Pt), four rebounds and three assists over 29 minutes during Friday's 130-122 loss to Atlanta in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals.
Horford was quiet in the loss, continuing what has been a modest series, to say the least. Over the three games, he has scored 22 points, unable to provide the Celtics with any offensive punch. While points are certainly not a strength at this point in his career, it would be nice to see him at least present a threat.
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Celtics' Al Horford: Off injury report for Game 1
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Horford (back) isn't on the injury report for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference First Round against Atlanta on Saturday.
Horford sat out three of Boston's final five games of the regular season due to a back issue, but he'll be able to suit up for the Celtics' first postseason matchup. Over 15 appearances since the start of March, he's averaged 10.9 points, 6.5 rebounds and 4.1 assists in 29.9 minutes per game.
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Celtics' Al Horford: Sitting out regular-season finale
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Horford (back) will not take the floor for Sunday's regular-season finale Sunday versus the Hawks.
Horford will continue a pattern of skipping every other game late in the season, with Sunday's marking his third absence in the last five. The next time the veteran big man will see the floor is when Boston opens its first round of the playoffs on the home floor.
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Celtics' Al Horford: Solid night in return
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Horford accumulated 11 points (4-8 FG, 3-7 3Pt), five rebounds, three assists and three blocks over 28 minutes during Friday's 121-102 win over Toronto.
Horford, who sat last game (back), put together a decent fantasy line in Friday's win over Toronto. For the third straight game, he knocked down at least three triples, and he added three blocks, which matched a team high. The veteran big doesn't score a ton of points, but all season long he has continued to provide solid production in many other categories.
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Celtics' Al Horford: Good to go Friday
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Horford (back) isn't listed on the Celtics' injury report for Friday's game against the Raptors, Taylor Snow of the Celtics' official site reports.
Horford took the second night of a back-to-back set off Wednesday, but his omission from the injury report suggests the veteran big man will return to the starting lineup Friday. Since the start of March, Horford has appeared in 14 of Boston's 18 contests, averaging 10.9 points, 6.6 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.1 blocks in 30.1 minutes during that stretch.
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Celtics' Al Horford: Won't play Wednesday
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Horford has been ruled out for Wednesday's game against the Raptors due to low back stiffness, Keith Smith of Spotrac.com reports.
Horford posted 11 points (4-12 FG), eight rebounds and six assists in 35 minutes during Tuesday's two-point loss to Philadelphia, but he'll be sidelined for the second half of Boston's back-to-back set to manage some back pain. In his absence, Grant Williams, Blake Griffin, Mike Muscala and Luke Kornet are candidates for increased roles.
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Celtics' Al Horford: Not on injury report
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Horford (back) is not listed on the Celtics' injury report ahead of Tuesday's game at Philadelphia, Tim Bontemps of ESPN reports.
The big man was held out of Friday's game against Utah due to a back issue, though it's likely that he was simply given the night off for rest purposes on the second leg of a back-to-back. With Robert Williams (rest) out Tuesday, Horford could be set for a bump in minutes while serving as the primary defender on Joel Embiid.
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Celtics' Al Horford: Out Friday, Griffin to start
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Horford (back) won't play Friday against the Jazz, Jay King of The Athletic reports.
Both Horford and Robert Williams (rest) will sit out Friday, so Blake Griffin will get the start at center. With a long layoff until Tuesday's game against the 76ers, Horford will presumably be back for the Celtics' next contest.
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Celtics' Al Horford: Questionable Friday
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Horford is questionable for Friday's game against the Jazz due to low back stiffness.
Horford has appeared in the last five matchups, averaging 8.4 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 25.2 minutes per game. However, he's dealing with an injury ahead of the second half of a back-to-back set. If he sits Friday, Grant Williams, Sam Hauser and Luke Kornet could see additional run.
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Celtics' Al Horford: Rough night Tuesday
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Horford finished Tuesday's 130-111 loss to the Wizards with five points (2-10 FG, 1-7 3Pt), four rebounds, three assists and two blocks across 26 minutes.
While the blocks salvaged some fantasy value on the night for Horford, the veteran big still remains mired in a scoring slump. In fact, some of his missed threes were of the outlandish brick variety. Horford has scored in single digits in five of the last eight games and hasn't topped 12 during that stretch, averaging just 7.8 points, 5.5 boards, 4.0 assists, 2.1 threes and 1.5 blocks while shooting 41.5 percent from the floor and 50.0 percent from the free-throw line.
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Celtics' Al Horford: Not listed on injury report
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Horford (back) is not listed on the injury report ahead of Tuesday's game in Sacramento, Jay King of The Athletic reports.
Horford sat out the second leg of a back-to-back Saturday, but he'll return to the floor for Tuesday's game, which will likely result in Blake Griffin heading back to the second unit. The Celtics do not have a back-to-back set during Week 22, so Horford should be available for all three of Boston's games.
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Celtics' Al Horford: Ruled out Saturday
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Horford (back) will not play in Saturday's game against the Jazz, Keith Smith of Spotrac.com reports.
Horford teased fantasy managers by saying there was "definitely a possibility" he would play in Saturday's game, but he will wind up on the sidelines due to back soreness. Horford has not played both ends of a back-to-back set this season for Boston, and his absence should allow for Blake Griffin, Grant Williams and Mike Muscala to see expanded roles. Horford appears likely to be back in action Tuesday against Sacramento.
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Celtics' Al Horford: Could play Saturday
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Horford said there's "definitely a possibility" he plays in Saturday's closing leg of a back-to-back set against the Jazz, Jay King of The Athletic reports.
Horford has sat out at least one leg of every back-to-back this season but indicated Friday that he might suit up for Saturday's tilt. Although his statement is encouraging, fantasy managers should keep an eye out for the Celtics' initial injury report for a better idea of Horford's availability.
