A Night to Remember at TD Garden
BOSTON — The electric atmosphere at TD Garden on Saturday night was fueled by the age-old rivalry between the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers. But for Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla, there was a moment when the competition took a backseat to sheer appreciation. During a pivotal stretch, he found himself simply watching in awe as Al Horford dominated the game.
Horford’s Exemplary Defense
“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,” Mazzulla shared in his postgame press conference. “I was like, ‘Man, this guy’s a future Hall of Famer. I get to watch this for free.’ You have to be able to have that perspective. I think he was motivated by (the Lakers hunting him on defense). He’s just an innate competitor and he inspires our team.”
A Veteran’s Effort
Horford’s performance was a blend of vintage skill and unwavering determination. Despite being in his 18th season and at the ripe age of 38, he continued to showcase his lockdown defense. Lakers superstars LeBron James and Luka Doncic frequently sought to exploit matchups against Horford, but he more than held his own, often coming out on top. One of the game’s defining moments occurred in the final 30 seconds of the second quarter. James faced Horford in a one-on-one situation as the shot clock was ticking down. He drove to the basket, but Horford’s perfect positioning forced a miss. Jayson Tatum capitalized on the rebound with a coast-to-coast dunk, placing the Celtics ahead 58-54 at halftime after they had trailed by as many as eight points.
Comprehensive Impact
Horford’s contribution was not limited to his defensive prowess; offensively, he was efficient, scoring 14 points on 5-for-9 shooting. His all-around game was evident as he added nine rebounds, four assists, three steals, and one block to his tally. Lakers head coach JJ Redick was quick to acknowledge Horford’s continued excellence: “Frankly, Al Horford is awesome still. He still moves his feet and does a really good job defensively.”
The Heart and Soul
“Al is one of a kind,” Tatum said postgame. “The anchor for our defense and the heart and soul of our team. He keeps us emotionally steady. The things he’s still 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 where we are without him. What he brings on the defensive end, we feel comfortable with Al switching and guarding his yard and making it tough. … I’m the biggest Al Horford fan there is. I love that guy.”
Looking Ahead
The Celtics are at their best when they are defending at a high level, and Horford’s presence is a cornerstone of that success. His ability to guard all five positions without needing a double team is invaluable, and Saturday’s victory was yet another testament to his reliability. As the team prepares for the playoffs and the defense of their title, the consistent performance of Al Horford provides a reassuring foundation. When it comes to making crucial plays in high-pressure moments, Boston can count on Horford to deliver.
