Al Horford got a positive injury update as he’s battled a back issue to open the season. Horford has missed the past four games due to right sciatic nerve irritation, but it sounds like he’s close to returning to the court. Warriors coach Steve Kerr said Horford is doubtful for Thursday’s game against the Suns, but he’s trending up.
“He’s just getting back to basketball work,” Kerr told reporters. “So his injury is healed. But it’s been a couple weeks, whatever’s it’s been, 10, 11 days. He’s gotta get back on the court now and get his wind back, his timing back.”
Horford, 39, has played in just 13 of the Warriors’ 27 games this season. He doesn’t play both games of back-to-backs, which is a similar setup to what he had in Boston over the past few years. This back issue has also cost him time as Horford has had a slow start to the season.
The Warriors signed Horford in hopes he could be the floor-spacing big man to help unlock the team. But the Warriors have struggled of late as they have a 13-14 record. Fortunately for them, the NBA Cup break allowed guys like Horford to rest up as injuries have slowed down Golden State.
Horford showed last playoffs he can still be a playoff-level contributor, albeit in a lesser role at this stage in his career. But the big man clearly wanted to compete for another title after winning the 2024 NBA championship in Boston. But with the Celtics trading away key players this summer, he elected to sign with the Warriors.