3 Celtics on Thin Ice Despite Strong Start to Season

Al Hoford

Time might finally be starting to catch up to the 37-year-old Horford.

Due to Boston's lack of depth in the frontcourt, Horford is typically forced to play 25-30 minutes a night. Realistically, he'd probably be better suited as a third-string center averaging around 15 minutes per game at this point in his career.

Horford's numbers are down across the board after averaging 9.8 points at an extremely efficient clip in 2022-23 (47.6 percent from the field, 44.6 percent from deep).

You can toss up the drop-off in scoring to Horford's new role as a reserve -- he's averaging 5.3 points -- but his shooting splits (35 percent from the field, 22.7 percent from deep) could be early indicators of this being Horford's final season in the league.

During Boston's current two-game skid, Horford has scored just six points on 2-for-11 shooting (18.2 percent), including a 2-for-10 (20 percent) mark from 3-point range. He played 36 minutes against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday before logging 26 minutes against the Sixers.

Horford's veteran leadership is vital to this team, so he's still worthy and deserving of a roster spot, but it's time for the Celtics to start scouring the big man market -- or turn to Neemias Queta -- for some help down low.

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