Al Horford has climbed to 55th in all-time playoff scoring. The veteran big man has leapfrogged Allen Iverson in the process. Horford has scored a total of 2,116 points in 170 playoff games throughout his career. He’s also pulled down 1,383 rebounds, dished out 568 assists and blocked 214 shots.
This is Horford’s 15th playoff run. The closest he has come to winning a championship was the 2022 NBA Finals run with the Boston Celtics, in what was Ime Udoka’s maiden season with the franchise.
As such, Horford is likely focusing on helping the Celtics get back to the Finals and potentially get over the hump. Horford has been animated during the Celtics’ opening three games as he looks to galvanize and help lead the roster. With his career on the back nine, he likely wants to help the team win a championship, both for the city and for his own career resume.
You’re not going to believe this…
Al Horford passed none other than ALLEN IVERSON in playoff scoring yesterday.
He’s No. 55 all-time now.
Horford is also No. 22 in blocks, No. 26 in rebounds, No. 50 in assists and No. 65 in steals.
Underrated career. pic.twitter.com/hzguym4MMY
— HoopsHype (@hoopshype) April 28, 2024
This season has been the first year where Horford has come off the bench. He has embraced his new role under Joe Mazzulla and emerged as a genuine difference-maker with the Celtics’ second unit. Of course, he’s also been impactful when stepping into the starting lineup, either as a replacement for Kristaps Porzingis or as part of a double-big lineup.
Horford has another year left on his two-year $19.5 million contract with the Celtics. As such, he will continue to increase his postseason scoring numbers and potentially continue to climb up the all-time leading scorers charts. However, for anyone who has watched Horford play, it will be abundantly clear that individual accolades and success aren’t what drives him.
Instead, the veteran big man has always been focused on team success and the growth of the roster as a whole. It’s what’s made him such a great fit as the Celtics’ leading veteran voice. And it’s why he will likely continue to have a major impact on the roster during the latter period of his career and his tenure with the team.
Horford may have leapfrogged Iverson in playoff scoring, but without a championship ring, it likely won’t make much of a difference to him.
