Celtics’ Joe Mazzulla Sends Heartfelt Message To Al Horford

Former Celtics center Al Horford played a crucial role in Boston’s victory in the 2024 NBA Finals. With Horford no longer part of the team, head coach Joe Mazzulla took a moment to reflect on the significant impact Horford made on the squad throughout the years.

“He’s a great guy,” Mazzulla said Wednesday, 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.”

Horford played seven seasons with the Celtics across two separate stretches. He first joined the team from 2016 to 2019, and then returned to Boston from 2021 to 2025.

The 39-year-old center played 465 games in Boston and averaged 11.2 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.6 assists.

Horford became a free agent in July and signed a two-year, $12 million contract with the Golden State Warriors on Monday.

The Celtics will need someone to step up and fill Horford’s contributions on the court. Yet, Horford’s most vital role in Boston went beyond just his play; he served as a key veteran presence in the locker room, and that’s a challenging position for anyone to fill.