Al Horford On His Vintage Performance: ‘Something Switched With Me’

Al Horford turned back the clock on Monday to help guide the Celtics to a 116-108 win over the Bucks to tie the Boston-Milwaukee series up at two games apiece heading.

The former Florida Gator poured in 30 points, including 16 in the fourth quarter, along with guarding Giannis Antetokounmpo (34 points, 18 rebounds, five assists). Jayson Tatum (30 points, 13 rebounds, five assists) matched Horford’s offensive output. Horford’s herculean effort seemed to begin after Antekounmpo stared him down after putting him on a poster, activating a mode that even Horford’s sister, Anna recognized instantly.

“I don’t really know what he said to me, but the way he was looking at me and the way he was going about it really didn’t sit well with me,” Horford said per ESPN. “At that point, I think just something switched with me in the game.”

There’s just simply no stopping this. (via @NBAonTNT) pic.twitter.com/ZRQzJP2Nil

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) May 10, 2022

Boston relied on their drive and kick game to wear out the Bucks as they forced Milwaukee to scramble on defense while they chased Boston’s shooters around the perimeter. For the night, the Bucks knocked down 14-37 three-pointers, with Horford and Tatum combining to hit eight of them. Horford also made sure he got his get-back against Antetkounmpo, throwing down a hammer on The Greek Freak early in the fourth quarter.

“We all understood the importance of this game,” Horford said. “We felt at the end of Game 3 we were in position to win the game, and we didn’t. I was just really locked in. I understood the moment, what we needed to do as a group. I really just did whatever it took tonight. It was one of those type of nights.

HAMMER TIME FROM HORFORD. (via @NBAonTNT) pic.twitter.com/M5S0vLSxxu

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) May 10, 2022

Both Boston and Milwaukee will be making their adjustments heading into a pivotal Game 5, shifting back to Milwaukee on Wednesday. The series has undoubtedly lived up to and might have exceeded expectations, and after this intense series is over, a new Eastern Conference rivalry has been born.

Playoff career-high 30-piece. Al Horford is going crazy. (via @NBA) pic.twitter.com/FS7qOkew3V

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) May 10, 2022