In Game 5 of the NBA Finals, Al Horford played a huge part in ending the Dallas Mavericks’ hopes for a comeback. And, he didn’t take long to get started. In just the seventh minute, Horford nailed a three-pointer to extend the Boston Celtics‘ lead by 9-2. The shot from beyond the arc forced the Mavericks to take their first timeout. Horford was decisive in setting up the win and, ultimately, in securing the championship for the Celtics. Horford helped the Celtics secure their 18th NBA championship title, by playing for 32 minutes, scoring 9 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 steals. The 38-year-old’s leadership and veteran savvy were crucial in Boston’s 4-1 Finals victory over the Dallas Mavericks.

Now as he returned to his homeland, the Dominican Republic, people greeted Horford with great pride. Arriving with the Larry O’Brien Trophy, Horford’s homecoming was celebrated with national pride, marking his historic achievement as the first Dominican NBA champion. The highlight of Horford’s visit came when the Dominican Republic honored him with its highest accolade, the Order of Merit of Duarte, Sánchez, and Mella.

The ceremony, held at the National Palace and attended by President Luis Abinader, marked a historic moment not only for Horford but for his entire country. Senior WNBA writer Noa Daizell shared this touching moment on X, sharing Horford’s heartfelt reaction “I knew I was going to come meet the president, but I didn’t know I was gonna get the highest award for the country.” His words, filled with emotion, reflected his feeling overwhelmed as he said, “Very overwhelmed with a lot of emotion. Very, very special day for me today,”. 

Horford is proud of his Dominican heritage. When asked by TMZ Sports in June how it felt to be the first Domican player to win the NBA championship, Horford gave a proud, emotional response. “It’s a privilege. My dad was the first Dominican basketball player to play in the NBA and for me to win this Championship, it’s a big honor.”

As Horford enjoys in his well-deserved recognition, he remains focused on his future. Despite being in the latter stages of his career, he has expressed a desire to continue playing, possibly in his 40s. “I want to feel good and be able to contribute,” he said.  Meanwhile, amidst this overwhelming honor, rumors about his potential retirement continue to swirl. Here’s a closer look at the real story.

“Excited for the next season” – AI Horford on his future with the Boston Celtics

Following the Celtics’ triumphant 2024 NBA championship win, unfounded rumors circulated about Horford considering retirement. People largely fueled these rumors all over social media, with speculations inaccurately attributing the news to the Celtics’ account.  One prominent example, involved a misleading post on X, which falsely claimed that the Celtics had announced Horford’s retirement plans. However, no official confirmation came from the Celtics or reputable media outlets.

“I don’t know why the speculations were out there that I was retiring. I am still playing and I am very excited for the next season” Horford said. Horford’s sister, Anna, swiftly debunked the rumors with a simple response on X. “Yeah, no,” she said. This dismissal aligns with Horford’s statements from June 2024, where he expressed no intention of retiring. Despite being 38 years old and in his 17th NBA season,  his return is significant for the Celtics, who are eyeing another championship as his leadership and contributions were pivotal in their recent championship success, where they lost only three games in the postseason.

In fact, Horford told TMZ Sports that he believes that with his teammates he can go for back-to-back titles. “I’ve done it in the college level and I think that we can do it again here.”