Through their first 22 games, the Boston Celtics have the best record in the NBA (18-4). They appear to be a contender again in 2023 after reaching the NBA Finals in 2022.
Al Horford, a center for the Boston Celtics, will have a more extended stay. A rumored two-year contract deal between Horford and the Celtics will reportedly keep the former All-Star center in Boston until the 2024–25 season.
The organization revealed that the five-time NBA All-Star signed a contract extension on Thursday.
Horford’s new contract eliminates the possibility that he will leave the city in free agency as he did in 2019. Horford was scheduled to become a free agent this offseason. He left Boston that summer after three seasons to join the Philadelphia 76ers.
Horford scored 10.9 points, 2.8 assists, and 6.3 rebounds per game this season while shooting a career-best 48.8% from 3-point range and 55.5% overall. With 39 made 3-pointers, he is on track to surpass his previous high of 99 3-pointers, established in the 2019–20 season with the Sixers. His 3-point % is sixth-best in the NBA.
In the first significant trade of the Brad Stevens era in the front office, Horford returned to Boston in the 2021 summer as part of a transaction that sent Kemba Walker to Oklahoma City. Horford more than paid for himself last season, especially in the playoffs, as he improved from 10.2 points per game, 7.7 rebounds per game, and 3.4 assists per game in the regular season to 12 points per game, 9.3 rebounds per game, and 3.8 assists per game. He had a stellar performance in Game 1 of the 2022 NBA Finals, leading Boston to a 120-108 victory with 26 points, six rebounds, and three assists.
Horford, former third-overall choice in 2007 Draft, was an All-Star with Atlanta Hawks in 2009–10 and 2011–12, with Celtics in 2014–15 and 2015–16, and with 76ers in 2017–18. He was chosen for the All-NBA third team in 2010–11 and the NBA All-Defensive second team in 2017–18.
He serves as a valuable experienced voice for the Celtics and has been instrumental in helping Boston start the 2022–23 season with an NBA-best 18–4 record.
Despite his advanced age, the Celtics made a wise decision by signing him because they knew they would keep him on the roster for some time to come.
They have the greatest roster in the Eastern Conference, so maintaining unity is crucial. They now have a five-game winning streak and have won 14 of their previous 15 games.
Horford is no longer a star, yet he plays an important role in the team’s success. The Boston Celtics will host the Miami Heat for a second straight game on Friday night in their next contest.