Al Horford won the NBA title with the Celtics in his 186th playoff game

BOSTON — After playing in more playoff games than any other player in league history before winning his first NBA championship, Al Horford flashbacked eight years ago to his first free agency meeting with the Boston Celtics as he stood on the stage at TD Garden. and confetti fluttered through the air.

“Man, I’ll never forget what Danny Ainge told me in that meeting,” Horford, 38, said of the Celtics’ former president of basketball operations. “He said, ‘You can win championships in many places, but nobody wins in Boston. Nobody wins like Celtic.’

When Celtics coach Joe Mazzula — who is three years younger than the 17-year veteran — subbed Horford out of Game 5 with 2:02 left in the fourth quarter and Boston would go on to a 106-88 win over Dallas. Mavericks, the crowd let forward to hear with a booming ovation.

“Nobody deserves it more than Al,” said Jaylen Brown, the Finals MVP. “He’s been a great leader not only on the court but off the court as well. … It’s an honor to be by his side. And Al Horford is a true legend and hero. It’s great to be a teammate.”

In his 186th career postseason game with three different teams in Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers and Boston, Horford posted 9 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals – one of which was diving to the floor to keep the ball and pitch. it’s ahead for Brown to score easily to put the Celtics up 54-39 at the end of the second quarter.

Gary Payton previously held the mark, playing 152 postseason games before winning it all with the Miami Heat. Karl Malone holds the record for most postseason games without a title (193).

Horford’s decision to sign with Boston in 2016 coincided with the drafting of Brown and came before the Celtics brought in Jayson Tatum in 2017, bringing a string of conference finals appearances and two Finals berths.

With Kristaps Porzingis out with a calf injury for most of the postseason, Horford’s impact was huge, scoring 22 points with 15 rebounds and 5 assists in a close win over the Cleveland Cavaliers in the second round and finished with 23 points, 5 rebounds. and 3 blocks in a Game 3 win over the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference finals to put Boston in position for the sweep.

“We leaned on him so much,” Brown said. “Maybe too much for his age and where he is. He just delivers. Be consistent, be disciplined with yourself. Don’t complain, you know what I mean. The only thing we do is keep winning.”

Horford, who was born in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, celebrated after the title with his daughter in his arms as he held the Dominican flag. He became the first Dominican player to win an NBA championship.

“Hell of a career,” Celtics forward Derrick White said. “It’s been an underrated career. Just doing everything for us. Not asking for anything. I’m so happy for him, and I’m happy to be a part of it. Just an amazing career, and this is just another thing. from that.”

Horford, who is under contract next season with Boston for $9.5 million, addressed how long he would consider playing after Sunday’s practice.

“For me, I’ve never really put my time into it,” Horford told ESPN. “I want to make sure that I feel healthy, I like what I do and for me, thank you, I have the support of my wife and my family. It’s a big problem for me… It’s been a few years now and I feel good, I want to continue play

From the sounds of it, Horford is staying with the Celtics.

“Knowing the type of person Al is, knowing the leader he is, even off the court, his dad, just a great guy and a great human being,” Celtics guard Jrue Holiday said, “I would run through a brick wall for him.”