Al Horford played a critical role in helping Boston erase an 18-point deficit against Indiana on Saturday night. By converting on a career-high seven of his 12 three-point attempts, Horford etched his name in the history books for several reasons.
First, the 37-year-old became the oldest player in NBA playoffs history to make seven threes in a game.
Second, he became just the fourth center in a playoff game to make seven threes, just 24 hours after Timberwolves’ Naz Reid accomplished the same feat.
And finally, Horford tied for the third-most threes made in an Eastern Conference Finals game.
The last of Horford’s seven threes may have iced the game for Boston.
With 1:20 left in the game, the Celtics, down 111-105, needed a quick bucket to cut into the deficit. Hoford responded by sinking a corner three off a slick behind-the-back pass from Jayson Tatum.
After the game, Horford credited Tatum for making arguably the best pass of his playoff career.
“It was pretty special,” Horford told reporters of Tatum’s pass. “He drove to the basket, he felt like he had a lane, and then — I don’t know how he got it there, he had to improvise. He just continued to make time after time the right play. That was an unbelievable play that he made, and at that point for me, it was just take my time and knock it down.”
Not that Horford wasn’t appreciated enough in previous years, but his performances in the ongoing playoffs have placed him in a new light. For context, he is one of only five players from his 2007 draft class active in the league.
Horford is just a win away from returning to the NBA Finals for the second time in three years.