Golden State Warriors forward Al Horford is acknowledging a slow start to his tenure with the team, despite being a key part of the Warriors’ offseason plans according to a recent interview with The Athletic. Signed to a two-year, $110 million contract, Horford’s perimeter shooting was expected to bolster the Warriors’ offence, but the five-time All-Star has seen his numbers dip in his first 13 games with the club. The 39-year-old veteran recently addressed his performance, stating he needs to elevate his game to meet both his own and the team’s expectations.
Al Horford. (Photo credit: Getty Images)
Golden State Warriors’ high-profile offseason acquisition, five-time All-Star center Al Horford, is acknowledging he needs to elevate his performance after a slow start to the season. The Warriors signed Horford to a two-year, $110 million contract, hoping his perimeter shooting would be the perfect complement to their existing core.
Horford, 39, has long been considered one of the league’s premier stretch-fives, boasting a career three-point percentage of 37.5%. Expectations were high that he would seamlessly integrate into the Warriors’ system and provide much-needed outside shooting. However, through 13 games, Horford is averaging just 5.6 points and 4.4 rebounds in 21.5 minutes per game, shooting a career-low 32.1% from the field and 29.8% from beyond the arc. This sluggish start has raised concerns about his fit with the team.
“I’m not where I want to be,” Horford recently told The Athletic. “I have to say, I haven’t been playing well. I know I have a lot of work to do. I need to be better, and I feel like I can be. But right now, I’m just not at the level I want to be at.”
Horford returned to the Warriors’ lineup on November 21st after missing two weeks due to sciatic nerve pain, making his first start for the team. He attributed his initial struggles to a combination of factors. “It’s not that there’s been any frustration, just a lot of different things happening,” Horford explained. “Whether it’s been injuries, time away from the team, different things. But I’m not making excuses. I’m looking at the first part of the season as a trial, and I know I’m going to get better. I’m confident in that.”
Adding to the challenges, Horford and his wife recently welcomed their sixth child, making for a busy personal life. Despite the demands, Horford remains focused on improvement. “Just continuing to figure out everything on the defensive end, being able to help more there. And offensively, finding better spots to get shots up, to help the team. Whether it’s setting screens, creating looks for teammates, I’m going to keep working at it.”
With the Warriors currently navigating a wave of injuries, Horford understands the urgency to contribute. Knowing he won’t be playing back-to-backs this season, he feels a responsibility to step up. “That’s always been my mindset,” Horford said. “I understand the situation, but the team needs me right now. We need to keep getting better, and that’s part of the process. But in my mind, I know what role I need to play when it gets to those key moments.”
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