After two decades in the NBA, Golden State Warriors center Al Horford has had plenty of ups and downs throughout his career. He's made five All-Star teams and won an NBA championship, but he's also experienced plenty of heartbreak and disappointment.
While Horford's been pretty durable throughout his 19-year NBA career, he's still had several seasons ruined by injuries. In 2011-2012, he played only 11 games due to a torn pectoral muscle. Two years later, another torn pectoral muscle ended his season after just 29 games.
Accordingly, he knows what former Boston Celtics teammate Jayson Tatum is going through. Tatum hasn't played at all this season after suffering a torn Achilles in May, but he's working hard to get back and may be able to return soon.
Prior to Thursday's game against the Celtics, Horford commented on Tatum's impressive recovery.
Al Horford on Jayson Tatum’s recovery:
“Just so impressed with him, because from everything that I've heard from that type of injury, it's just extremely difficult. His mental strength is really showing there, because of his ability to be at this point already that he's… pic.twitter.com/oGBzDHaKni
— Justin Turpin (@JustinmTurpin) February 20, 2026
"Just so impressed with him, because from everything that I've heard from that type of injury, it's just extremely difficult," Horford told WEEI's Justin Turpin. "His mental strength is really showing there, because of his ability to be at this point already that he's practicing and everybody's talking about he's possibly going to play — and even if he doesn't play, just the fact that how much progress he has made and the way that he has come is very impressive… I’m very, very proud of him."
Tatum has been posting updates throughout his recovery and even has a documentary coming out about his rehab, which has lasted 40 weeks and counting. He may return as soon as early March.
There's no rush, however, as Boston has surprisingly flourished without him. The Celtics own the second-best record in the Eastern Conference and have shown no signs of slowing down, winning seven of their last eight games.
Regardless, they could still use Tatum for the playoffs if they want to make a deep postseason run. Time will tell if he's able to return by then or how effective he'll be.
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