No player had ever played so many games in the playoffs without reaching the NBA Finals. Today, Al Horford ended a real curse. After 141 postseason games, the interior of the Boston Celtics finally qualifies for the first Finals of his career.
This week, Horford spent it looking at her photos from the 2020-21 season. He needed to remember how much things had changed for him. In these images, he then wears an Oklahoma City Thunder jersey, for which he only played 28 games in the worst period of his career.
His situation could not have been more uncertain at the time. Eventually, returning to Boston in the offseason — in the transfer of Kemba Walker — seems to be one of the best things that ever happened to him.
Al Horford’s career is paved with success. Over his 15-year career, he participated 13 times in the playoffs, where he played nearly 99% of his matches as a starter. He posted averages of 13.4 points, 8.3 and 3.5 assists in the postseason, on excellent shooting percentages. Impressive stats considering his longevity.
The interior has already reached the conference finals three times before this year: in 2015 with the Hawks, then in 2017 and 2018 with the Celtics. Each time, he had failed at the gates of the NBA Finals. Each time against the Cavaliers of LeBron James. But in 2022, without the King standing in his way, Horford has finally managed to shatter that glass ceiling.
The long-awaited NBA Finals
For Boston, the path has not been easy. It took two Game 7s, against the Milwaukee Bucks and then the Miami Heat, to get there. At a shot of Jimmy Butler closely, the outcome of the last series could have been quite different. But Al Horford was there, on this action, to challenge the shot and take the rebound that sealed the victory for the Celtics. So at the end of this difficult course, he could not contain his emotion.
« I didn’t know how to react. I am there, overtaken by events, excited. A lot of work, I was part of a lot of good teams, I had a lot of good teammates. I’m so proud of this group. For me, it’s really special to be a part of this »said Al Horford after the match.
An emotional Al Horford after advancing to his first #NBAFinals presented by @YouTubeTV! pic.twitter.com/GFzAe5JC0I
— NBA (@NBA) May 30, 2022
At almost 36 years old, this qualification undoubtedly represents the greatest accomplishment of his career, if we except of course his double with Florida in the NCAA. And his team seems unanimous on this subject: the veteran deserved to go to the NBA Finals.
« No one deserves more than this guy », affirme Jaylen Brown.
« Al deserves it more than any of us. He works like a dog », Supports Marcus Smart.
Between his unexpected battle against Giannis Antetokounmpo and his defensive impact throughout the playoffs, Horford has been memorable in this campaign. However, the Boston Celtics’ journey is not over, the hardest part is yet to come. In his first NBA Finals, Al Horford will try to win his first title against the Golden State Warriors.
The Celtics win game 7 and find the Finals 12 years later!
