As LeBron James and Stephen Curry have become the marquee faces of the NBA's unprecedented longevity movement, Al Horford, in his 17th season and just a week away from his 38th birthday, is quietly shining as his own ageless wonder for the Boston Celtics. The Celtics are just one win away from their second NBA Finals appearance in the last three years.
Here’s what went down: The Celtics rallied from an 18-point deficit to edge out the Indiana Pacers, 114-111, on Saturday night, taking a commanding 3-0 lead in the Eastern Conference finals. Horford led the charge from deep, knocking down a career-high seven 3-pointers. One of those, a massive corner shot off a slick behind-the-back assist from Jayson Tatum, felt like the game's biggest moment.
"We always talk about spacing, making sure we're in the right spots. I trusted that he was going to be there, he trusted that I was going to make the right read," Tatum said of the connection. "That was a hell of a shot that he made."
Here are some highlights:
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Horford's Big Shot: This shot cut Indiana's lead, which had been hovering in the two- to three-possession range for most of the fourth quarter, to just two points. Before that, it seemed like Boston was merely staying afloat rather than making a serious push. But when Horford sank that 3, the tide turned. A little over 30 seconds later, Jrue Holiday completed a layup plus the foul for an old-fashioned 3-point play, putting Boston on top for good.
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Horford's 3-Point Barrage: Horford's seven 3s nearly matched the total of the rest of the Celtics combined (nine). He personally out-shot Indiana from beyond the arc (7-5). Prior to Saturday, Horford had made six 3s in a game six times in his 1,257 career games, including the playoffs. He hit six against Cleveland in the closeout game two weeks ago and made six against the Warriors in Game 1 of the 2022 Finals.
"Whatever he does, whether it's his leadership, his presence, hitting shots, protecting the rim – he's a guy that keeps us all together," Tatum said of Horford, who finished with 23 points on 14 shots with five boards, three blocks, and a steal.
- Stepping Up in Porzingis' Absence: With Kristaps Porzingis out, Horford has stepped up to fill the void, hitting 16 3s over the last four playoff games. The guy runs the pick-and-pop in his sleep, and with all the downhill attention Boston's drivers command, that shot is almost always open.
Tatum assisted on five of Horford's 3s, three of them by simply coming off the ball screen and dragging two defenders into the paint, leaving Horford wide open in the vacated space.
- Record-Breaking Performance: Horford, now the oldest player in NBA history to make seven 3s in a playoff game, may not be the player he once was, but he remains a highly effective defender and offensive connector. He can hurt you from 3 on any given night, as Indiana and the Cavs have found out in these playoffs.
"I've been very blessed to still be in this position, to be able to play at this type of level, to be part of a team like the Celtics," Horford said. "I'm really making sure that I'm doing everything I can to contribute to the team. ... This position that I'm in right now, it's pretty unique. I'm very grateful for it."
Horford's performance is a testament to his skill, leadership, and timeless quality, proving that even as he approaches 38, he's still a force to be reckoned with on the court.
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