Former Boston Celtics center and NBA champion Al Horford is moving on after leaving in free agency this offseason, a departure that head coach Joe Mazzulla said will leave a noticeable void on and off the court.
Horford, 39, had been a steady presence in Boston across two separate stints with the team, anchoring the frontcourt and serving as a veteran leader during multiple playoff runs. Over his 18-year career, Horford has spent seven seasons with the Celtics, averaging 11.2 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.1 blocks per game in green and white. Though he earned only one All-Star nod during his Boston tenure, his value as a versatile defender, passer and locker room leader has long outweighed his box score numbers.
Speaking with reporters Wednesday, Mazzulla praised Horford’s professionalism and impact. “He’s a great guy,” Mazzulla said, via WEEI’s Justin Turpin. “Great Celtic. Means a lot. I’m grateful for the relationship we had. It’s impressive the professionalism that he’s had. Who he is as a person and as a player is bigger than basketball.”
For Boston, the 2026 season marks the first time since 2020-21 that the Celtics will play without Horford on the roster. His leadership will now need to be replaced by the team’s younger core, led by Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, along with newly acquired Anfernee Simons.
As for Horford, he joins the Golden State Warriors, only his second stint with a Western Conference team after appearing in 28 games for the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2020-21. The Warriors hope Horford’s experience and defensive versatility will add stability as they pursue another playoff run.