[Al Horford](https://www.masslive.com/celtics/2025/11/former-celtics-center-suffers-injury-with-new-team.html) made a major impact in his return to the court on Christmas Day for the Warriors, scoring 14 points off the bench in a 126-116 victory.
The 39-year-old had missed seven straight games for the Warriors and 11 of his past 12 contests overall while dealing with sciatica in his back. He returned initially from the injury on December 4 against the Sixers but was shut down for another three weeks after struggling in that outing (1-of-8).
[The former Celtics big man](https://www.masslive.com/celtics/2025/09/al-horford-signs-with-warriors-as-boston-celtics-lose-another-big-man.html) looked like his old self against the Mavericks even as the Warriors were cautious with his minutes (11). Horford caught fire early, knocking down all four of his 3-point attempts in the first quarter to help Golden State jump out to a 12-point lead at the end of the opening frame.
Horford also chipped in with four rebounds, two assists, and two steals in his limited minutes, showing off the kind of versatility that made him a prized offseason target for the Warriors.
“Getting Al back today was huge,” Steve Kerr told reporters postgame. “The way he shot it in the first half, giving us that separation. Our centers are all playing well.”
Horford continues to come off the bench for Golden State with Quinten Post holding down the starting center position recently. With the Warriors being cautious with Horford’s minutes, that’s a trend that’s likely to continue in the coming weeks. However, Kerr is optimistic now about the versatility of Golden State’s frontcourt with Horford back.
“Suddenly we have a pretty big frontline if we choose to go big,” Kerr said. “Multiple options off the bench.”
Horford has appeared now in just 14 of the Warriors 31 games this year after signing a two-year, $11.7 million deal in September that includes a player option for next season. He’s posted career lows thus far, averaging 6.2 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game while shooting 35.3 percent from the field.