Al Horford ‘Pretty Encouraged’ After Celtics’ Game 4 Loss vs. Sixers

The Boston Celtics dug themselves an early hole in their Eastern Conference semifinal series against the Philadelphia 76ers. Despite having a huge advantage with NBA MVP Joel Embiid sidelined in Game 1, the Celtics squandered the opportunity, losing 119-115.

Boston bounced back in a major way in Game 2, blowing Philadelphia out 121-87. In Game 3 it was more of the same as the Celtics took back home court advantage, winning 114-102. With a chance to essentially put the series away in Game 4, Boston fell just short.

Philadelphia won Game 4 116-115 courtesy of James Harden’s sixth 3-pointer of the game. He scored 42 overall, giving him 87 points in the 76ers’ two victories in the series. It was a tough loss to suffer, but veteran Al Horford isn’t sounding the alarms just yet. In fact, Horford was encouraged by his team’s performance in Game 4 on the road.

“I know that everybody’s feeling down,” said Horford. “We lost the game and things like that. I’m pretty encouraged by our group. I saw something.”

Horford is a respected veteran in the Celtics locker room and has played at a high level this season. He has gone a very good job of slowing down Embiid to the best of his abilities defensively. In the postseason, Horford is averaging 2.3 blocks and 1.2 steals per game, creating plays on that end of the court.

Despite the loss, Horford was able to take away numerous positives from the game. He believes his teammates grew, accomplishing things they haven’t done yet this season.

“I saw some growth in our group,” Horford said. “Things we haven’t been able to do all year, and be able to do them tonight on this type of stage. I’m very encouraged for our group.”

The leadership that Horford brings to the table is certainly rubbing off on his teammates. Instead of passing the blame around after the game, Jaylen Brown took responsibility for doubling off of Harden on the play he made the game-winning 3-pointer.

Younger teams without a veteran to lean on may not have taken accountability like that, but Brown took the onus regardless of how he or anyone felt about the questionable decision to change defensive assignments on the last play. That, along with the resilient nature of the team, impressed Horford.

“I felt like our group did a great job in the fourth, locking in defensively, everybody taking the challenge, trying to be better,” he said. “That was quite a comeback. And then we were really close, so I’m pretty encouraged with our group and with the focus, with the intent that we played with there. We knew we were going to get their best shot today. And they put it out there. And we were able to withstand it and just weren’t able to close the game. But I’m pretty proud of our group, how we responded today.”

Boston trailed by nine points heading into the fourth quarter of Game 4. Knowing that they had a 2-1 lead and secured home-court advantage for the remainder of the series, it would have been easy for them to pack it in and turn their focus to Game 5 at home.

The exact opposite occurred, as the Celtics locked in and put forth an incredible effort, falling just short on their comeback bid. That was a growing experience for the Celtics, who will be a better team in the long run despite suffering their second loss of the series.