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Al Horford of the Golden State Warriors handles the ball while being defended by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Golden State Warriors received clarity on the status of veteran big man Al Horford after the 39-year-old underwent medical imaging following his early exit from Friday’s game.
An MRI confirmed that Horford suffered a minor right calf strain, according to reporting from Danny Emerman of The San Francisco Standard.
“Al Horford’s MRI revealed a minor calf strain. He’ll be re-evaluated in one week,” Emerman wrote on X.
While the diagnosis avoided a more serious injury, Horford is expected to miss at least the next five games as the Warriors take a cautious approach with the veteran.
Horford Sustains Injury Against Timberwolves
Horford sustained the injury during the first quarter of Golden State’s loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday.
The veteran played only five minutes before leaving the game. In that brief stint, he recorded three points and one rebound before heading to the locker room.
Head coach Steve Kerr indicated the team intends to prioritize Horford’s recovery timeline.
“With a calf, we’re not going to rush him back,” Kerr told reporters.
The Warriors’ medical staff will re-evaluate Horford in about a week, though that checkpoint does not necessarily mean he will be cleared to return immediately.
Warriors’ Veteran Center Played Key Role Off the Bench
GettyAl Horford of the Golden State Warriors shoots a three-point shot.
Horford has been a steady contributor for Golden State during his 19th NBA season, providing leadership and versatility in the frontcourt.
Through 42 appearances this season, Horford has averaged 8.4 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.2 blocks.
He has logged 22.1 minutes per game while shooting 42.5 percent from the field and 36.1 percent from three-point range.
The veteran signed a two-year, $12 million contract with the Warriors last summer after leaving the Boston Celtics in free agency. The deal includes a $5.9 million player option for next season.
Although Horford has primarily come off the bench this year, he has also stepped into the starting lineup when needed. Friday’s game marked his 12th start of the season.
Kerr’s Rotation Adjusting During Horford’s Absence
With Horford sidelined, young center Quinten Post is expected to see a larger role in the frontcourt rotation.
Golden State has been navigating multiple injuries recently, forcing Kerr to shuffle lineups during a crucial stretch of the season.
Despite the setback, the Warriors could soon regain several key veterans.
Kerr said he is hopeful that Draymond Green will return Monday when Golden State continues its road trip against the Washington Wizards.
Green missed Sunday’s game against the New York Knicks due to lingering back soreness.
Across his last five appearances, Green has averaged 9.6 points, 6.8 assists, 4.0 rebounds and one steal per game, continuing to serve as one of the Warriors’ defensive anchors and playmakers.
Other Warriors’ Veterans Nearing Return
Golden State may also receive additional reinforcements soon.
Kerr said the team expects both Kristaps Porziņģis and De’Anthony Melton to return Monday after sitting out the first leg of the back-to-back against New York.
Porziņģis recently made his first start for the Warriors and posted 20 points on 7-of-16 shooting in a limited workload while continuing to build conditioning.
Melton, meanwhile, has been one of Golden State’s most effective two-way contributors this season, averaging a career-high 13.0 points per game.
Warriors Hoping for Health Down the Stretch
The Warriors are hoping the upcoming week will bring improved health across the roster as the regular season approaches its final stretch.
While Horford’s calf strain will sideline him for the immediate future, the team remains optimistic that the veteran big man can return in time to help stabilize the rotation before the postseason push begins.
For now, Golden State will rely on its depth while awaiting Horford’s next evaluation and the return of several key veterans.
Alder Almo is a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy.com. He has more than 20 years of experience in local and international media, including broadcast, print and digital. He previously covered the Knicks for Empire Sports Media and the NBA for Off the Glass. Alder is from the Philippines and is now based in Jersey City, New Jersey. More about Alder Almo
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