The Boston Celtics are the first team to secure a spot in the Conference Finals.
They did so in just five games, taking their postseason record to 8-2.
Needless to say, that gives them a huge edge over either the New York Knicks or Indiana Pacers, and they’re just four wins away from another trip to the NBA Finals.
Of course, plenty of the credit should go to Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, and Jrue Holiday also deserves plenty of praise for his defensive prowess.
Nonetheless, Al Horford has also been a regular unsung hero for this organization, especially since Kristaps Porzingis fell with an injury.
The big man turned back the clock to close out the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 5, and he even broke a LeBron James record with his performance.
As shown by NBA history on Twitter, Horford became the oldest player to record 20+ points, 10+ rebounds, 5+ assists, and 5+ three-pointers in a playoff game.
Al Horford becomes the oldest player in NBA history to record a 20+ PT, 10+ REB, 5+ 3PT, 5+ AST playoff game, passing LeBron James.#NBAPlayoffs presented by Google Pixel pic.twitter.com/yEyGWqGn1e
— NBA History (@NBAHistory) May 16, 2024
The veteran finished the night with a whopping 22 points, 15 rebounds, five dimes, six three-pointers, one steal, and three blocks on 8-of-15 from the floor and 6-of-13 from beyond the arc.
He had to deal with a younger and way more athletic player like Evan Mobley, yet he finished the night with just one foul, proving again to be an outstanding postseason performer.
Horford isn’t just the veteran leader in this locker room; he’s also a glue guy and an intelligent player who makes things work on both ends of the floor.
And while his stats aren’t that impressive and he doesn’t always get the credit he deserves, he’s been one of the best players the Celtics have had in the past two decades.
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