Boston Celtics veteran heart Al Horford completed with 11 factors, together with going 3-for-5 from deep, 4 rebounds, and a team-high plus-20 in 17 minutes within the Celtics’ 124-104 win towards the Philadelphia 76ers. Over 5 years faraway from when Horford inked a four-year, $109 million cope with the 76ers solely to play one season in Philadelphia earlier than returning to Boston. Al remains to be booed on the Wells Fargo Heart and likes it.
Horford revealed he’s unbothered by the 76ers followers, per CelticsBlog’s Noa Dalzel.
“It’s nice,” Horford stated. “If it’s enjoyable, then it’s fantastic. I like that they care sufficient to boo. It’s good to be cared for.”
Jaylen Brown (20 factors) led the Celtics starters in scoring. Kristaps Porzingis added 17 factors, and Jayson Tatum completed with a triple-double (15 factors, 11 rebounds, 10 assists). Nevertheless, Payton Pritchard’s 28 factors, together with eight threes off the bench, led all scorers.
Horford anchored the Celtics’ bench in Thursday’s win towards the Sixers. He’s additionally began in 29 video games for Boston this season. Al averages 8.0 factors on 40.8/88.9/35.9 taking pictures splits, 5.5 rebounds, and 0.9 blocks per recreation. His 8.0 factors is the fewest he’s ever averaged all through his profession, and his 35.9% on threes this season is the primary time he’s shot beneath 40% from behind the arc since 2021-22.
Nonetheless, Celtics’ Al Horford stays environment friendly towards his former staff. He scored 17 factors, together with tying a season-high 5 threes in a 118-114 loss to the 76ers on Christmas Day.
Jayson Tatum endorses Payton Pritchard after Celtics’ win
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Celtics All-Star Jayson Tatum endorsed Payton Pritchard for Sixth Man of the 12 months. Pritchard’s 28-point efficiency marked the seventeenth time he’s scored 20+ factors, and the second time he’s linked on eight threes this season, which ties his season-high.
After beating the 76ers, Tatum reacted to Pritchard’s huge night time, per NBA on TNT.
“He’s unbelievable, what he brings to the scene on a given night time, particularly off the bench,” Tatum stated. “You realize we obtained just a few weeks left, however he obtained to be Sixth Man of the 12 months.”
Pritchard is averaging 14.1 factors on 47.1% taking pictures, together with 41.5% from deep, 3.5 assists, and 0.9 steals per recreation this season. He’s reached profession highs in every statistical class, together with 28.0 minutes per recreation in 2024-25. Pritchard’s making a robust case for himself whereas the defending champion Celtics proceed to steamroll their opponents.
The Celtics have gained 9 of their final eleven video games, six of which have been by an 18+ level margin. With a 40-16 report, they’re second within the Jap Convention, main the Knicks by 2.5 video games.