BOSTON — Al Horford is currently the eighth oldest player in the NBA, making him an easy choice to target for teams such as the Lakers on Saturday night. The 38-year-old found himself in isolation situations against LeBron James, Luka Doncic and other Lakers guards on countless occasions once Boston elected to switch rather than double Lakers’ ball handlers off screen.
Horford’s ability to adapt in that role has been an integral part of Boston’s first NBA title last year but that did not stop the Lakers from attacking him relentlessly Saturday night with limited options available within Boston’s starting five.
The choice did not pay dividends for the Lakers as the game progressed. Horford more than held his own in isolation situations, particularly in the third quarter when the Lakers’ offense flatlined with 13 points in the frame on 21 percent shooting. Doncic and James went a combined 3-of-14 against Horford on the night in isolation situations per ESPN stats and info. Horford, as he has so many times during his career stood up to the test and thrived within it during the Celtics’ 111-101 win.
“I mean you kind of have to prove yourself out there, and I don’t mind doing that,” Horford said after posting 14 points and nine rebounds in the victory.
Joe Mazzulla was eager to elaborate on Horford’s mentality on nights when teams think he’s a weak link for Boston.
“I think one, it motivates him,” Mazzulla said. “I think when people do it, it motivates him. I got to watch five possessions of him defending at a high level, and at one point, I wasn’t coaching. I was just watching him, and I was like, ‘Man, this guy’s a future Hall of Famer. I get to watch this for free.’ And you have to be able to have that perspective. So I think he was motivated by that, and he’s just an innate competitor, and it inspires our team.”
Horford has saved some of his best work this season against other top contenders around the league and that fact has not gone unnoticed by his star teammates as well.
“Al is just old reliable,” Jaylen Brown said. “He’s just the ultimate connector for us on both ends. Hits timely shots, uses his intelligence, his basketball IQ to put the team into a tough spot. Took advantage of those tough matchups when they tried to switch him, and on defense, he was battling with LeBron. He was rebounding. So he’s huge for us, and we just want to keep him healthy and continue to just make it easy for him. We need him ready to go in the playoffs.”
Amazingly, Horford was not playing his normal role tonight with Kristaps Porzingis still sidelined due to illness. He’s a reserve when this team is at full strength but it’s fair to wonder whether this group is at its best this year with Horford at center within the starting five (the lineup data would say yes).
No matter how much he plays, Horford remains a luxury for this group and is one of the biggest differences between Boston and other second-tier contenders like the Lakers who simply don’t have the depth in the frontcourt to match Horford’s magic.
“Al is one of a kind,” Jayson Tatum declared. “He’s the anchor to our defense and the heart and soul of our team. He keeps us emotionally steady. The things that he’s able to provide in year 18 is remarkable. I don’t think that gets talked about enough, being an intricate part of a championship team in year 18. We wouldn’t be who we are without him.”
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