Celtics

Marcus Smart on Al Horford after huge Game 1 performance: ‘Don’t nobody deserve to be here more than him’

Published by
Peter Dewey

Boston Celtics veteran big man Al Horford turned in a monster performance in Game 1 of the NBA Finals to lead Boston to a win over the Golden State Warriors.

Despite being on the road for Game 1, Boston dominated the fourth quarter behind some strong shooting from beyond the arc. Horford was one of the driving forces, as he shot 6-for-8 from 3-point range in the win.

Celtics guard Marcus Smart couldn’t praise Horford enough after Game 1.

“We were ecstatic for him,” Smart said. “Al is the OG, man. He puts in the work. Don’t nobody deserve to be here more than him.

 

“The way that he carries himself, the professionalism he comes to this game with every day, we knew it was only a matter of time for him to have a big game.”

Horford finished Game 1 with 26 points on 9-for-12 shooting from the field, six rebounds and three assists. The Celtics, who now have home-court advantage in the series, are just three wins away from capturing an NBA title.

This is Horford’s second stint with the Celtics and first career trip to the NBA Finals. The five-time All-Star played for the Celtics organization from the 2016-17 season through the 2018-19 season before signing with the Philadelphia 76ers in the ensuing offseason.

Horford came back to Boston ahead of the 2021-22 campaign in a trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Clearly, Smart and the rest of the Celtics rely on Horford as a veteran leader in the locker room, and he has delivered in the playoffs. This postseason, Horford is averaging 12.7 points, 9.4 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game while shooting 51.9 percent from the field and 46.3 percent from beyond the arc.

The Celtics will look to take a 2-0 series lead on the Warriors in Game 2 on Sunday night.

Peter Dewey

Peter is a graduate of Quinnipiac University where he covered the MAAC and college basketball for three years. He has worked for NBC Sports, the Connecticut Sun and the Meriden Record-Journal covering basketball, football and other major sports. Follow him on Twitter @peterdewey2.

Published by
Peter Dewey

Recent Posts

Report: NBA GM believed Grizzlies would have had to shop Ja Morant this summer before they fired Taylor Jenkins

Earlier on in the year, long before the Memphis Grizzlies dismissed Taylor Jenkins after he…

6 hours ago

Ja Morant opens up about Grizzlies firing Taylor Jenkins: ‘It’s tough for me’

Guard Ja Morant suited up for the first time since the Memphis Grizzlies fired Taylor…

1 day ago

Tyrese Haliburton on ‘easy decision’ to name SGA MVP: ‘If you took a player poll, I’m sure he would win’

Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has a compelling case to win this season's MVP…

2 days ago

Report: ‘Early expectation’ is that Clint Capela will sign elsewhere this summer

Big man Clint Capela is in his fifth season playing for the Atlanta Hawks, and…

4 days ago

Stephen A. says LeBron is in his feelings: ‘Could it be because I don’t believe you’re the G.O.A.T.?’

ESPN's Stephen A. Smith claimed on Wednesday that if his confrontation with Los Angeles Lakers…

5 days ago

LeBron James reflects on 2007 Cavs roster that he took to NBA Finals: ‘How is that possible?’

Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James recently reflected on the 2006-07 Cleveland Cavaliers and their…

6 days ago