Horford intends to sign a two-year, $14 million contract with the Warriors, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.
Horford will decline his player option in order to re-sign for another couple of years. The 40-year-old becomes the 13th player in NBA history to reach 20 seasons with this move. Just like 2025-26, it's likely that Horford plays a modest role with plenty of maintenance during the regular season. That includes sitting out one game of back-to-back sets.
Horford finished with nine points (3-8 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 2-2 FT), five rebounds and two assists over 26 minutes during Friday's 111-96 Play-In Game loss to Phoenix.
Horford played a key role in the Warriors' comeback victory against the Clippers on Wednesday, but the veteran big man was unable to replicate that success in Friday's elimination game. He was limited to just 45 regular-season games (13 starts) due to various injuries, including a right calf strain that cost him 14 consecutive games from March 15 to April 9. Horford will end his first regular season in Golden State averaging 8.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.1 blocks and 1.6 threes over 21.5 minutes per game. He holds a $5.97 million player option for the 2026-27 season.
Horford supplied 14 points (5-8 FG, 4-7 3Pt) and three rebounds in 22 minutes during Wednesday's 126-121 Play-In Game victory over the Clippers.
Horford provided the Warriors with some unexpected offense late in the game, helping the team to an incredible come-from-behind victory. In only his third game back since returning from injury. Horford connected on three consecutive three-pointers down the stretch. Coupled with a vintage performance by Draymond Green and another shooting masterclass by Stephen Curry, Golden State will now play Phoenix for the right to face the Thunder in the playoffs.
Horford won't start Wednesday's Play-In Tournament game against the Clippers, Anthony Slater of ESPN.com reports.
The veteran big man got the starting nod with Draymond Green (back) sidelined in Sunday's regular-season finale -- a loss to the Clippers -- though Horford will retreat to the second unit in Wednesday's do-or-die matchup. The 39-year-old averaged 7.4 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.0 blocks in 20.6 minutes per game across 32 regular-season appearances off the bench.
Horford amassed five points (2-5 FG, 1-4 3Pt), four rebounds and two assists over 19 minutes during Sunday's 115-110 loss to the Clippers.
Draymond Green (back) should be fine for Tuesday's rematch during the Play-In Tournament, and he will be an upgrade over Horford, who filled in for the feisty veteran. Horford's age is beginning to show, as the 39-year-old lacks the aggressiveness he's shown throughout his NBA career. The Warriors originally had grander plans for him, but the acquisition of Kristaps Porzingis and continued production from Green have limited Horford's production to a trickle.
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Warriors' Al Horford: Starting Sunday
Rotowire
Horford will start Sunday's game against the Clippers, Anthony Slater of ESPN.com reports.
Horford came off the bench during Friday's game against the Kings, but he will start Sunday. Over his last four completed starts, he has averaged 12.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 2.0 blocks in 30.8 minutes per contest.
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Warriors' Al Horford: Puts up 10 points in return
Rotowire
Horford (calf) registered 10 points (4-8 FG, 2-4 3Pt), two assists and one block in 18 minutes during Friday's 124-118 loss to the Kings.
Just as head coach Steve Kerr had promised heading into Friday's contest, Horford was on a restriction of 15-to-20 minutes and fell right between that range while suiting up for the first time since March 13. Though Horford didn't appear to have any setbacks in his return from the right soleus strain that kept him sidelined for 14 straight games, the Warriors may not have much motivation to aggressively ramp up his workload during Sunday's regular-season finale versus the Clippers. Golden State is already locked into the No. 10 seed and may prefer to preserve Horford's health heading into next week's Western Conference Play-In Tournament.
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Warriors' Al Horford: Limited workload ahead Friday
Rotowire
Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said that Horford (calf) will be limited to around 15-to-20 minutes in Friday's game against Sacramento, Sam Gordon of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Horford will suit up after missing the Warriors' last 14 games due to a right soleus strain, but given the length of his absence along with the fact that Golden State is locked into the No. 10 seed in the Western Conference, the club will use him with caution. The return of Horford could still cut into the workload of fellow center Charles Bassey (ankle), who logged 30 minutes in the Warriors' 119-103 loss to the Lakers on Thursday.
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Warriors' Al Horford: Absent from injury report
Rotowire
Horford (calf) is available for Friday's game against the Kings.
The veteran big man is set to return from a month-long absence with a calf strain, so his minutes could be limited Friday. That said, the recent rise in streaming appeal for Charles Bassey (ankle) could take a hit versus the Kings.
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Warriors' Al Horford: Hopeful for Friday return
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Horford (calf) took part in a 5-on-5 scrimmage Thursday, and the Warriors are hopeful he'll play Friday against the Kings, Sam Gordon of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Horford has already been ruled out for the first game of Golden State's back-to-back Thursday against the Lakers, but the team is optimistic about a Friday return. The veteran will presumably be re-evaluated Friday morning before another update is issued.
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Warriors' Al Horford: Making progress toward return
Rotowire
Horford (calf) is "making good progress" toward a return and will be re-evaluated "early next week."
Horford has missed the Warriors' last 11 games while tending to a strained right soleus. Although the veteran's return date remains a mystery, he appears to be moving in a positive direction, participating in portions of Saturday's practice. The team indicated he will be re-evaluated "early next week," suggesting there is a chance he will return Tuesday versus Sacramento. With Quinten Post (foot) also sidelined, head coach Steve Kerr will presumably lean on Kristaps Porzingis and Draymond Green to handle most of the work in the middle.
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Warriors' Al Horford: To be re-evaluated in one week
Rotowire
Horford is making good progress in his recovery from a right soleus strain and will be re-evaluated in one week, Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints.com reports.
Horford hasn't played since March 13 due to the calf injury and won't return until early April at the earliest. His next opportunity to play will come April 5 against the Rockets. With the veteran big man still on the shelf, Omer Yurtseven and Quinten Post (foot) are candidates for increased burn off the bench.
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