It’s never too late to make a great first impression. Boston Celtics big man Al Horford proved that in Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Thursday.
After years of frustration and close calls, Horford made his debut in Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors. He had a solid first three quarters, scoring 15 points. But it seemed like it would come in a losing effort, as the Celtics trailed the Warriors 92-80. But Boston flipped the script in the fourth quarter, outscoring Golden State 40-16 to come away with a 120-108 win. Horford was the catalyst.
The ageless Al Horford is going off in the 4th quarter of Game 1 for the Celtics! pic.twitter.com/UTJYuUMvcZ
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) June 3, 2022
Horford finished the fourth quarter with 11 points. His 26 total points led Boston and were second overall, only to Steph Curry, who had 34. Additionally, Horford drained six three-pointers. That’s a record for a player making his NBA Finals debut. For context, Golden State’s Splash Brothers — Curry and Klay Thompson — combined for five made three-pointers in their NBA Finals debut.
The six threes are also the most Horford has made in any game in his career, regular season or playoffs.
Al Horford's six threes in Game 1 are the most in his career, regular season or playoffs 😳 pic.twitter.com/MTa2dIzBMX
— ESPN (@espn) June 3, 2022
Regardless of who one may be cheering for in the NBA Finals, Horford is undeniably a sentimental favorite. NBA players and fans paid tribute to his performance.
Al Horford, the Dominican Tim Duncan.
— Jorge Castillo (@jorgecastillo) June 3, 2022
Game 1 is done. The Al Horford demolition. Nobody called that.
— Carl Steward (@stewardsfolly) June 3, 2022
Didn’t have Al Horford hitting six 3’s. Nope. I did not.
— Colin Cowherd (@ColinCowherd) June 3, 2022
Al Horford been hitting that ugly shot for decades man.
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) June 3, 2022
Al Horford Finals MVP gonna be wild
— Tate Frazier (@tatefrazier) June 3, 2022
Hoopin Horford
— Evan Turner (@thekidet) June 3, 2022
Al Horford in his first Finals game pic.twitter.com/IvjW4kcClC
— StatMuse (@statmuse) June 3, 2022
AL WANTS THAT MF-ING RING.
— Anna Horford (@AnnaHorford) June 3, 2022
The only player older than Al Horford in NBA Finals history to score 25+ points on 75% shooting is Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
— Tucker Boynton (@Tucker_TnL) June 3, 2022
Indeed, Horford was highly efficient. He was 9-for-12 from the field and 6-for-8 on three-point attempts.
Game 1 was also played the day before Horford’s 36th birthday. We’d say that he gave himself a fine early birthday present.
