Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr said he has yet to decide whether veteran center Al Horford will start this season, acknowledging that the 39-year-old’s minutes and workload will be closely managed.
Horford sat out Sunday’s 126-116 preseason loss to the Los Angeles Lakers for scheduled rest, part of a plan to limit his action during the preseason.
“If Al were a little younger, he’d be in the starting lineup for sure,” Kerr told reporters. “But if he’s playing limited minutes, it’s tougher to start him and finish the game. If he’s not playing as many minutes as he would have a few years ago, we still have a lot to think about.”
Managing Minutes for the Veteran Center
Horford hasn’t played more than 65 games in a season since 2021, as teams have gradually limited his workload to preserve his body for the playoffs. Last year with the Boston Celtics, he appeared in 60 regular-season games, often sitting out the second night of back-to-backs.
Kerr emphasized that the Warriors plan to take a similar approach, using Horford strategically in select matchups while keeping him fresh for the postseason.
ESPN’s Anthony Slater had previously referred to Horford as the “presumed starting center” heading into camp.
“Horford would slide in as the presumed starting center, lessening the regular-season load on Draymond Green,” Slater wrote in August. “His ability to pass, defend, and shoot from the center spot fits well into the Warriors’ system.”
Horford’s preseason play has been mixed. In his debut with Golden State, he recorded three points, four rebounds, three assists and three blocks in just 14 minutes, showing flashes of his signature defensive presence and floor spacing. But three nights later, he struggled, finishing scoreless in limited minutes.
A Fresh Start After Championship Run in Boston
Horford joined the Warriors this summer on a two-year, $12 million deal that includes a player option for 2026. His arrival follows a successful championship run with the Celtics, where he played a key role in helping Boston win the 2024 NBA title — the first of his career.
Ironically, Horford’s last NBA Finals loss came against the Warriors in 2022. Now, he joins forces with Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, Jimmy Butler, and Kerr in pursuit of another title.
“When I think about the Warriors, I think about Steph, Draymond, Steve Kerr, and then seeing Jimmy Butler and what he did in that second half of the season last year after the trade, and how they’re playing now,” Horford told reporters during his player introduction. “For me, if there was one place that I was going to leave Boston for, it was this. It wasn’t an easy decision, but when this opportunity came, I jumped at it.”
Leaving Boston Behind
Horford admitted that parting with Boston — where he spent five of the last seven seasons — was difficult.
“It was very difficult,” he said. “Boston became a second home for me. Being in that community and that city was something very special for me and my family. It wasn’t an easy decision.”
Horford’s exit came amid Boston’s financial reset under the NBA’s new second-apron restrictions. The Celtics were unable to keep all their high-priced veterans after All-NBA forward Jayson Tatum suffered a season-ending Achilles injury. Salary-cap pressure also forced the team to move Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday earlier this summer.
Warriors’ Gamble on Experience
Golden State used its $5.2 million taxpayer mid-level exception to sign Horford, banking on his leadership and defensive versatility to stabilize a roster that has grown older but remains championship-minded.
Whether he starts or comes off the bench, Kerr made it clear that Horford’s role will be significant.
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