BOSTON – There was definite jubilation for the Boston Celtics following their 120-109 win over the Houston Rockets, but the mood may become more subdued in the coming days depending on how serious Al Horford is hurt.
Horford, who had a near double-double of 20 points and nine assists against the Rockets, wasn’t moving particularly well near the end of the game and afterwards revealed what was wrong.
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“I felt something around my groin area,” said Horford who added that he’s fine. “We’ll see how it is (Friday) morning.”
Horford missed nine games earlier this season with a concussion, and another game to be with his wife for the birth of their second child.
When healthy, he has been one of the team’s best players because of his versatility which was on display as he sliced and diced up the Rockets defense whenever they tried to double-team him or send help towards him defensively.
Boston Celtics
“It’s important that we keep moving without the ball and our guys, all year they’ve done a good job especially tonight,” Horford said. “I’m looking to score in the post, but at the last second I kept seeing guys just pop open. I was just making the easy play. It’s a credit to our guys. They kept moving and stayed active on the weak-side.”
And when he wasn’t finding teammates, Horford was getting points on his own with strong, physical plays around the basket – something he hasn’t done a ton of this season.
“It was beautiful,” said Boston’s Isaiah Thomas. “We need that from him; he knows that. I think he’s been down on himself a little bit the last few games. But as a team, we haven’t played well either. We know what Al’s capable of. He did a hell of a job tonight. He was the anchor tonight for us on both ends.”
And the Celtics will look for him to continue in that role, provided he remains healthy which is far from a given considering how he was limping towards the end of Wednesday’s victory over the Rockets.