The Boston Celtics are looking to close out the NBA Eastern Conference Finals in Game 7 against the Miami Heat. While they could have finished this series off with Game 6, Jimmy Butler showed shades of LeBron James from 2012 and had a 47-point night to single-handedly carry the Heat to a clutch win.
Celtics’ Al Horford had a very disappointing game, scoring his first and only points of the game with a three in the fourth quarter. He was 1/8 on the night and wasn’t a factor in defensive schemes to slow down Butler late in the game.
It seems that Horford was playing with a lot on his mind, as his grandfather passed away prior to Game 6. Instead of taking an elimination game off to mourn, Horford suited up in the black and green jerseys from the day and tried to book his team a berth in the NBA Finals for the first time in 12 years.
Al Horford’s grandfather passed before Game 6 and was laid to rest yesterday in the Dominican Republic.
Thoughts and prayers for the Horford family. 🙏❤️ pic.twitter.com/azpIYHLlyt
— NBA Retweet (@RTNBA) May 29, 2022
Horford has been one of the most impactful players in the playoffs, as his contributions have been crucial for putting the Celtics in the position they are in right now. But he did have a mighty struggle in Game 6 after having to play after getting news like that.
Thank you to everyone who sent kind words Al’s way. He & his abuelo were very close. Some things are bigger than basketball.
— Anna Horford (@AnnaHorford) May 28, 2022
Horford is still in the grieving process but is having a solid performance in the winner-take-all Game 7. He just put up a monster block on Max Strus in the first quarter of the game, as the Celtics have a 32-17 lead going into the second. Horford played all 12 minutes of the quarter and has 3 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block already in this game. If they can keep this going, the Boston Celtics are three quarters away from the NBA Finals.
We would like to send our condolences to the Horford family for their loss.
