‘I’m very excited for next season’: Celtics’ Al Horford confirms plan to play in 2024-25
"I don't know why there's speculation out there that I was retiring."
Al Horford will return for the 2024-25 season.
The Celtics veteran big man confirmed in an interview with TMZ Sports that he won’t be retiring this offseason after winning his first NBA title.
“I have [made my decision], there’s no question about it,” Horford told TMZ Sports. “I don’t know why there’s speculation out there that I was retiring. I’m still playing and I’m very excited for next season.”
Horford’s decision isn’t too much of a surprise. In fact, Celtics owner Wyc Grousbeck said on WEEI’s “The Greg Hill Show” Tuesday that he had been told Horford planned to keep playing.
Still, murmurs of retirement have swirled around Horford in recent weeks. He turned 38 earlier in June, and the prospect of retiring on top would be an enticing proposition to many.
However, retirement isn’t in Horford’s plans. Now, he’ll have the opportunity to do something he did in college: repeat as champions.
“Absolutely,” Horford said when asked if his experience of repeating as national champs with Florida in 2006-07 could help the Celtics next season. “I think it’s us enjoying this moment right now and then we get back to work. This group is special, we have so much to offer.
“And, like you said, I’ve done it in the college level and I think we can do it again here.”
The Celtics are in a good spot to repeat entering the 2024-25 season. Horford is already under contract for next season, entering the final year of a two-year, $19.5 million extension. All the other members of the Celtics’ regular rotation are also under contract for next season, with Luke Kornet and Xavier Tillman Sr. being their most notable free agents. Sam Hauser has a $2 million team option.
Despite his age, Horford was a key contributor to the Celtics’ title run. He regularly came off the bench for the first time in his career during the regular season, starting in just 33 of the 65 regular-season games in which he played. He averaged 8.6 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and one block over 26.8 minutes per game, shooting 51.1 percent from the field and 41.9 percent from distance.
Horford’s role was elevated though in the postseason after Kristaps Porzingis suffered a calf injury. He was reinserted into the starting lineup for the Celtics’ Game 5 series-clinching win over the Heat in the first round. He never relinquished that spot, with Boston going 13-2 over the 15 games Horford started in the postseason.
Following his elevation into the starting lineup, Horford averaged 9.5 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 2.3 assists over 31.9 minutes per game. He still shot at a decent clip, making 46.1 percent of his field goals and 36.6 percent of his 3-pointers.
Horford notably played well though on the defensive end in the NBA Finals win against the Mavericks. He held his own against Luka Doncic when the Mavericks star tried to take him on in switches. Doncic shot just 9 of 28 from the field when Horford was his primary defender in the NBA Finals, per NBA.com’s tracking data. Horford also had a block and 0.9 steals per game over the 15 games he started in the postseason.
While Horford is set to hit the court again when the opens in October, he’s enjoying the celebration for now.
“It’s been great,” Horford said. “I still can’t believe it, still can’t believe all of this – all that comes with it, this joy, and being able to share with my family. It’s been unbelievable.”
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