Al Horford’s Stellar Performance: Celtics Veteran Boosts Contract Hopes

Last Sunday, the Boston Celtics faced the reigning NBA champions, the Denver Nuggets, at the TD Garden. With starting center Kristaps Porzingis out due to illness, the Celtics needed Al Horford to rise to the occasion — and he did just that with a standout performance against Nikola Jokic.

Al Horford Shines Against Nikola Jokic

Horford, 38, delivered his best game of the season, holding the three-time MVP to 20 points, 14 rebounds, and 9 assists while contributing 19 points himself. Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla praised Horford’s impactful defense:

“He’s one of the best players in the league at guarding the other best players in the league, no matter what position they are. He was just elite tonight. On the defensive end of the floor with his positioning, his communication, his physicality, his rebounding — it was amazing to watch.”

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Al Horford’s Ongoing Contribution

In his 18th NBA season, Horford continues to contribute significantly to the reigning champs. He’s averaging 8.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.8 assists in 26.9 minutes per game. His recent performance reaffirms that Horford can still deliver elite stats against top-tier opponents.

Contract Extension on the Horizon?

Horford’s impressive play may be positioning him for a new short-term contract with the Celtics. Back in the 2021-2022 season, he signed a two-year contract worth $19.5 million. His next contract extension could follow a similar structure, possibly including a second-year player option.

While the Celtics’ ownership could see changes next offseason, Brad Stevens may push to retain Horford on a short-term deal. With rising player salaries, keeping an experienced, starting-caliber player who knows the team’s system could be a smart move for Boston’s future.