Boston Celtics followers discovered on Tuesday morning that Jeff Van Gundy could be leaving his function as a advisor to president of basketball operations, Brad Stevens.
Celtics proprietor Wyc Grousbeck confirmed on Tuesday, nevertheless, that one of many group’s greatest contributors on the court docket will likely be again for the 2024-25 season.
“Al (Horford) is coming again for subsequent 12 months. That is what I have been informed. Age 38, which is unbelievable,” Grousbeck stated. “We have some guys who’re getting up there a bit of bit, however principally, we’re a younger group. Most of our gamers are 30 or youthful and that’s unhealthy information for everyone else hopefully.”
The five-time All-Star middle simply completed his seventeenth season and has performed in over 1,200 profession video games (together with the playoffs). Earlier than Monday, Horford had been second solely to Corridor of Famer Karl Malone in NBA historical past for many video games performed and not using a championship.
At the same time as he approaches 40, Horford remains to be enjoying at a excessive stage and proved that once more in the course of the 2023-24 marketing campaign.
The Florida product sacrificed his function as a career-long starter this winter as Kristaps Porzingis performed his first season in Boston. Then when the Latvian received injured within the playoffs, Horford stepped again into the beginning lineup and got here up large.
Horford reentered the primary 5 on the ground after Porzingis suffered a right-calf harm throughout Recreation 4 of the group’s first-round collection in opposition to the Miami Warmth. Porzingis was then sidelined for over a month, protecting 10 video games and together with your complete second and third rounds in opposition to the Cleveland Cavaliers and Indiana Pacers, respectively.
Horford had a number of clutch efforts along with his fellow huge man on the bench, averaging 12.8 factors and seven.3 rebounds throughout the Celtics’ four-game sweep of the Pacers within the Jap Convention Finals.
He then posted 7.0 factors, 6.2 rebounds and a couple of.6 assists whereas going 13-of-25 (8-of-17 on three-pointers) throughout the 5 contests within the NBA Finals.
Horford is probably not racking up double-doubles like he did in his prime, however he’s nonetheless an important member of the Celtics.
