LOS ANGELES – Kyrie Irving won’t be all by his lonesome during all-star weekend next month, with teammate Al Horford being selected as an All-Star reserve.
For Horford, this will be his fifth all-star selection but first as a member of the Boston Celtics after joining the team in 2016.
Horford’s play, particularly on defense, has been instrumental to the Celtics (34-13) having the best record in the Eastern Conference, and third overall in the NBA.
This season, he has averaged 13.3 points, 7.7 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game while shooting a career-best 43 percent from 3-point range.
Horford’s numbers don’t always speak to his impact on teams and more importantly, winning games.
“He’s a big part of our team in order for us to be number one in the East and hopefully sustain that spot,” Irving said earlier today. “We know how valuable he is. The Celtics organization, our team, everybody. He definitely has a case; he’s got my vote.”
Horford is grateful and appreciative of being named an All-Star.
Boston Celtics
But his focus, as you might expect, is on what he views as a much more significant prize – a victory tonight which would snap Boston’s season-long losing streak which stands at three straight.
Horford is more concerned about the Celtics setting the tone defensively tonight against the Los Angeles Lakers.
“That has to be our mindset,” he said. “And sticking together. So this is a great time for us to make sure we’re together and we do it as a group.”