Here’s How Much Al Horford Has Dominated LeBron James This Season
On Saturday night, the Boston Celtics faced off against a surging Los Angeles Lakers team in one of the most highly anticipated matchups of the season. The last time these two teams met, the Lakers overwhelmed the Celtics. However, this time, the reigning champion Celtics got their revenge with a 111-101 victory at home.
While LeBron James’ groin injury will likely grab the most attention, the Celtics’ defense played a major role in slowing down the Lakers—especially with the ever-reliable Al Horford proving he still has plenty left in the tank at 38 years old. Horford frequently switched onto James and Luka Doncic, not just holding his own but excelling in those matchups.
In fact, Horford has had the edge over James multiple times this season. In their two meetings, the Celtics veteran has limited James to just 2-for-12 shooting from the field and 0-for-4 from three-point range, amounting to a mere six points, as noted by Chris Forsberg of NBC Sports Boston.
Horford may not possess the same athleticism he once had, but his basketball IQ and understanding of the game have only improved with age. His defensive awareness allows him to stay in position without falling for fakes, making it difficult to beat him unless an opponent relies purely on speed and explosiveness. With the Celtics’ strong defensive rotations, Horford rarely finds himself exposed in isolation.
It’s no accident that Horford has been a key part of many winning teams throughout his career. He consistently provides whatever his team needs, whether it’s timely three-pointers or crucial defensive stops. His contributions have been invaluable during his highly successful tenure with the Celtics.
The Celtics may not be as dominant as they were last season, but they remain among the top contenders for the championship. Their performance against the Lakers showed they can still deliver when the stakes are high.
Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, in particular, stepped up in a big way, refusing to let the Lakers’ revamped roster get the best of them. The duo combined for 71 points, while the rest of the team played lockdown defense. And with Kristaps Porzingis expected to return from injury, the Celtics are only going to get stronger.