As Aaron Nesmith’s potential game-tying shot fell just short at the buzzer, Al Horford crouched down and pumped his fists in triumph.
He knew he and his Celtics had just stolen a game in Indy, advancing to within one game of reaching the NBA Finals, and he couldn’t be prouder.
“It was just poise – we were down obviously big. The biggest thing we understood is that we needed to continue to play, continue to trust each other, and I felt like we had opportunities early in the fourth, to continue to trust each other,” Horford said postgame. “I give this group a lot of credit for continuing to stay with it despite us not making shots.”
Twice, the Celtics trailed by 18 points. Indiana built an 18-point lead midway through the second quarter and matched that margin again midway through the third. Yet, Boston persevered, stealing Game 3 on the road, advancing to a perfect 5-0 on the road this postseason – and Horford had his fingerprints all over it.
The 16-year veteran poured in a postseason-high 23 points, along with five rebounds, three blocks, a steal, and a game-high 15 contested shots.
Horford, who turns 38 next week, buried a postseason career-high seven triples, becoming the oldest player in NBA playoff history to make at least seven threes – none bigger than the last one, which came off a gorgeous behind-the-back pass from Jayson Tatum and cut Indiana's lead to two points with 1:11 left in the fourth quarter.
“I trusted that he was going to be there,” Tatum said after the game. “He trusted that I would make the right read, and that was a hell of a shot that he made.”
Trust isn't something handed out freely; it's something earned. Thanks to his leadership, reliability, and experience, Al Horford has indeed earned it.
Throughout the season, regardless of his role, he has been a pillar of consistency for the team. With Kristaps Porzingis sidelined, Horford has stepped up when it matters most, offering the steady hand the Celtics needed on the biggest stage – the NBA Playoffs.
“When it wasn’t going well for us, which we have to expect that it’s not at times, we just kinda stayed right there,” Mazzulla said after Game 3. “Al is kinda the anchor to that.”
Sure, it hasn’t been perfect. He’s faced shooting woes and defensive challenges, but overall, Horford has provided Boston with exactly what it needs: consistency.
The Celtics hold Horford in high esteem. He leads by example, whether through his words, actions, or unwavering commitment to the team’s success. His teammates consistently express their admiration for him and his contributions to winning, which remain pivotal as they advance through the Conference Finals.
Since Porzingis went down with a calf injury last month, Horford has started all nine games, helping guide the Celtics to an 8-1 record over that stretch. The Florida product is averaging 11.1 points per game, knocking down 2.3 three-pointers per game (second-most over that stretch behind just Derrick White), 7.2 rebounds (second to just Tatum), and a team-best 1.2 blocks. His +89 plus-minus over that stretch trails just Tatum for the team-high.
“I’ve been very blessed to still be in this position, to be able to play at this type of level, to be a part of a team like the Celtics, really making sure I’m doing everything I can to contribute to the team and I’m grateful for the opportunity,” Horford said. “It is pretty unique, it’s pretty special. I understand — I give the glory to the lord. It’s just very special. It’s not me. This position that I’m in right now, it’s very unique. I’m very grateful for it.”
Horford, poised to make his second career NBA Finals appearance, stands as the fourth-oldest active player without a championship ring—a compelling fact that is sure to ignite extra motivation among his teammates as they strive to hoist Banner 18.
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