Wednesday night at TD Garden, the Boston Celtics host the Golden State Warriors. It's Al Horford's first game back on the parquet since departing in free agency.
Unfortunately, the 19th-year center will not suit up. The former Florida Gator is dealing with a right soleus strain, per the Warriors' injury report. The visitors have also ruled out Stephen Curry [right patellofemoral pain syndrome], Moses Moody [right wrist sprain], and Seth Curry [left adductor strain]. Golden State is already without Jimmy Butler, who tore his ACL earlier this season.
Gary Payton II, who is dealing with a left tibial contusion, is probable to play on Wednesday. Former Boston College center Quinten Post is questionable due to right foot injury management.
Respect Al Horford's decision
When he first shipped up to Boston in 2016, the five-time All-Star represented the most significant free-agent signing in Celtics history. He became a core member of the team. One who stepped up after Kristaps Porzingis got injured during the 2024 playoffs to help the franchise capture banner 18.
Horford was a leader, one whose daily approach and commitment proved a positive and lasting influence on those around him. Jayson Tatum repeatedly referred to the team's elder statesman, who took him under his wing as a rookie, as his favorite teammate.
Some fans hold Horford's decision against him. They believe he should have stayed to help the Celtics navigate whatever this season held for them after dramatic roster changes and Tatum's Achilles tear.
However, one should understand that Horford had a chance to earn more money on a team he believed was better equipped to compete for a championship. At 39 years old, retirement is around the corner. One shouldn't blame him if he didn't want to spend a season, potentially the last one of his career, deprived of the chance to contend for a title.
Unfortunately for him, the Warriors are a virtual lock to participate in the play-in tournament. For an older club, that makes their postseason path that much more challenging. Having to navigate that without Jimmy Butler adds to that degree of difficulty. Acquiring Porzingis, his former teammate in Boston, who is available for Wednesday's tilt at TD Garden, will help.
However, one would think, with the benefit of hindsight, if offered a mulligan, Horford would still be with the Celtics. That's not to criticize his decision or how he arrived at that conclusion, though. It simply hasn't worked out as he envisioned when he joined Golden State.
Still some mystery around Horford's departure
Meanwhile, Boston remained a title contender while Tatum rehabbed. Now, he's back in the fold. The four-time All-NBA First Team selection has impressed since returning, bolstering the chances of a return to the NBA Finals that few on the outside thought possible.
It's also worth noting that before his first game against his former team last month, a 121-110 victory for Boston, Horford said of his move to the Bay Area, "For me, the decision was, it's something that's deeper than just the basketball stuff," adding, "It's something that, at some point, I'll share with people, but for me, it felt like it was the time for me to go elsewhere."
He also said it would be a "privilege" to end his career with the Celtics. Despite some feeling perturbed by his decision, it would be fitting for Horford, a class act who figures to one day get enshrined in the Basketball Hall of Fame, to end his career with the Boston-based franchise he means so much to.