Al Horford

2022 - 5 - 9

Post cover — Image courtesy of "NBC Sports Boston"

Why the 'Al Horford Game' could go down in Celtics playoff history (NBC Sports Boston)

Al Horford defied Father Time on Monday night, delivering the playoff game of his life when the Celtics needed it most. Chris Forsberg reflects on "The Al ...

And Horford keeps proving it by putting up stat lines that were not even feasible at the height of his NBA prime. "Al is -- man, we love Al,” said Marcus Smart. "He’s one of the best vets we’ve ever had. Jayson Tatum bounced back from a Game 3 clunker, but it was still Horford who dominated the game when it mattered most. Boston has stolen back home court advantage, however, and two of the potential final three games of this series will take place at TD Garden. After nurturing this core during his initial Boston stint, Horford was supposed to play just a supporting role in this playoff run. "Nobody can ever say anything about Al, and he’s helped me a great deal in the three years we’ve played together. "I usually just kind of just kind of go about my business,” said Horford, when peppered with questions about the last time he got showed that much emotion. With Boston’s season on life support as the Bucks stretched their lead to double digits in the second half of Game 4 and the C's beset by foul trouble, Horford refused to let this season slip away. No one could have envisioned this when Brad Stevens dealt Kemba Walker and a first-round pick to Oklahoma City in exchange for Horford a year ago. The sequence left the game tied at 81, but Boston would soon race away for a 116-108 triumph that sends the series back to TD Garden knotted at 2-2. In that moment, the Al Horford Game was born. Motivated by Antetokounmpo’s trash talk midway through the third quarter, Horford erupted for 19 points on 7-of-10 shooting in the second half.

Al Horford explained the exact moment 'something switched with me ... (Boston.com)

Al Horford explained the moment when things "switched" for the Celtics in the Game 4 comeback win vs. Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks.

In the aftermath, Antetokounmpo glared at Horford and had words for him. Trivia: Al Horford helped Florida win back-to-back NCAA titles when he was in college. Though it didn’t happen immediately (as Milwaukee continued to lead for the rest of the third quarter), Horford’s intention was set. Sometimes it’s hard to pinpoint exactly when a game changes, causing a dramatic swing in the result. The series is now tied 2-2- heading back to Boston for Game 5 on Wednesday at 7 p.m. He was pissed.”

Al Horford's sister knew Giannis Antetokounmpo 'f--ked up' in Bucks ... (New York Post)

Anna's tweet included a video that showed Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo staring down the 15-year NBA veteran after a poster dunk in the first half.

“We all understood the importance of this game,” Horford said with the series even 2-2 and headed back to Boston for Game 5 on Wednesday night. “At that point, I think just something switched with me in the game.” The “Greek Freak” was issued a technical foul for taunting.

Al Horford On His Vintage Performance: 'Something Switched With ... (SLAM Online)

Al Horford turned back the clock in a 116-108 win over the Bucks to tie the Boston-Milwaukee series up at two games apiece heading into Game 5 on Wednesday.

(via— SLAM (@SLAMonline) @NBA) pic.twitter.com/FS7qOkew3V May 10, 2022 I understood the moment, what we needed to do as a group. “We all understood the importance of this game,” Horford said. Boston relied on their drive and kick game to wear out the Bucks as they forced Milwaukee to scramble on defense while they chased Boston’s shooters around the perimeter. (via— SLAM (@SLAMonline) @NBAonTNT) pic.twitter.com/ZRQzJP2Nil May 10, 2022 Horford’s herculean effort seemed to begin after Antekounmpo stared him down after putting him on a poster, activating a mode that even Horford’s sister, Anna recognized instantly.

WATCH: Al Horford Puts Giannis Antetokounmpo On A POSTER (Sports Illustrated)

Al Horford threw down a massive dunk on Giannis Antetokounmpo during Game 4 between the Milwaukee Bucks and Boston Celtics on Monday night.

Devin Booker had 30 points in Game 2, and he spoke to the media postgame.CLICK HERE. The Bucks are the third seed in the Eastern Conference, while the Celtics are the second seed. The Celtics crushed the Brooklyn Nets in the first-round of the playoffs in a four-game sweep, while the Bucks beat the Chicago Bulls in just five games in the first-round.

Al Horford sets playoff career-high with 30 points, leads Celtics to ... (CelticsBlog)

Horford scored 16 points in the fourth quarter, helping Boston come back from an 11-point deficit to even the series at two apiece.

The Celtics offense slowed down and Antetokounmpo kept his foot on the gas, and the Bucks took a double-digit lead nearing the end of the third, 76-65. Horford continued his momentum, hitting a midrange jumper then another three to give the Celtics an 88-85 lead with eight minutes to go. Boston took its first lead after Horford’s second three of the night, 34-33 with six and a half to go in the second quarter. After a quick 5-0 Celtics run, the Bucks’ lead was only two with ten minutes remaining. The Celtics struggled with fouls as the third wore on, Brown had five after an overturned charge went on him and Grant Williams had four. Antetokounmpo had six points in the first four minutes and was freeing up his teammates on the perimeter as Boston sent double teams. The Celtics started the second with a Tatum-less lineup, hoping to limit him as he had two fouls. Tatum led the Celtics with seven rebounds at the break. Coming out of a timeout with three minutes left in the first, Boston picked up on the offensive end. Marcus Smart was the closer for Boston, scoring four of the final eight points and finished with 18 points and eight assists. Tatum hit a pull-up, then Horford nailed a three to cut the lead to five. The Fiserv Forum was electric, but Al Horford was quick to pull the plug in the fourth.

NBA Rumors: How Celtics were able to get Al Horford back in 2021 ... (NBC Sports Boston)

While his showing in Game 4 against the Milwaukee Bucks stands out, Al Horford has been great all season long in his second stint with the Boston Celtics.

Horford ultimately opted out of the final year of that deal and signed with the Philadelphia 76ers in July 2019, where he spent one ill-fated season before he was dealt to OKC in December 2020. OKC would ultimately buy out Walker, who later signed with the New York Knicks but fell out of their rotation during the regular season. Like Walker, Horford had two years left on his contract -- but he had only $41.5 million guaranteed remaining on his deal at the time of the trade.