Boston Celtics center Al Horford. David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

Al Horford makes incredible history in Boston's Game 5 win

By Sai Mohan | Last updated 5/16/24

Al Horford will be 38 on June 3, but the Celtics center is showing absolutely no signs of slowing down.

During Boston's 113-98 Game 5 win over the Cavaliers on Wednesday, the 37-year-old became the first player in NBA postseason history with a stat line of over 20 points, 15 rebounds, five 3PM and three blocks. Amazingly, Horford put up those numbers as the oldest player remaining in the playoffs.

Al Horford is the first player in NBA history with

20+ PTS
15+ REB
5+ 3P
3+ BLK

in a playoff game (he's the oldest player left in the playoffs). pic.twitter.com/QijuEWtiiQ
— StatMuse (@statmuse) May 16, 2024

According to Celtics statistician Dick Lipe, Horford also became the second-oldest player in history to register at least 20 points, 10 rebounds and five assists in a playoff game, behind only Lakers legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

Al Horford is the 2nd oldest player in NBA playoff history to have at least 20 points, 15 rebounds and 5 assists in a game. He trails only Kareen, who had 30-17-8 against the Celtics May 30, 1985.
— Dick Lipe (@DickLipe) May 16, 2024

After the C's clinched a berth in the Eastern Conference Finals, coach Joe Mazzulla praised his team's elder statesman for leading the way.

"Everybody's a leader on our team in a different way, and Al leads instrumentally — he's not much of a talker," Mazzulla said, via NBC Sports Boston. "Tonight you saw his gift. His gift is just passion, inspiration, toughness and a competitive nature...That’s who Al is as a person, you saw his personality. I thought he was tremendous. He started it for us, and all the guys responded to it. I'm grateful for Al. I'm honored to coach him."

Horford has extended his career into his late 30s largely due to his evolution as a three-point shooter. When he entered the league in 2007, Horford was attempting just 0.1 deep shots per game, and those attempts gradually increased with each passing year. Over his last two seasons, Horford is making an average of two threes per game from 4.6 attempts — elite production for a two-way big man.

The veteran big has been the starting center for the C's in the absence of the injured Kristaps Porzingis, who is expected to return to the lineup at some point in the conference finals.

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