Career Timeline of Al Horford: Major Achievements and Milestones

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Al Horford made an impact.

Al Horford, a Dominican professional basketball player for the Boston Celtics, is a five-time NBA All-Star. Known as "Big Al", he achieved his first NBA championship with the Celtics in 2024. He is a prominent figure in the NBA.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

2004: Acceptance of Athletic Scholarship

In 2004, Al Horford accepted an athletic scholarship to attend the University of Florida, choosing the Gators over other schools.

2005: Southeastern Conference Tournament Championship

In 2005, Al Horford helped the Florida Gators win the Southeastern Conference tournament championship.

December 2006: Return from Injury Against Ohio State

In December 2006, Al Horford returned from injury to play against Ohio State, limiting Greg Oden to 7 points and helping the Gators win.

2006: NCAA National Championship with Florida Gators

In 2006, Al Horford, playing for the Florida Gators, was the starting center on their National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) national championship team.

2006: NCAA Tournament and National Title

In 2006, the Florida Gators, with Al Horford, won the NCAA tournament and the school's first national title, defeating UCLA in the championship game.

March 4, 2007: Scoring 1,000 Career Points

On March 4, 2007, Al Horford scored exactly 14 points in the final home game against Kentucky to reach 1,000 career points.

April 2, 2007: Second National Championship

On April 2, 2007, the Gators repeated as national champions, with the same starting lineup, defeating Ohio State 84-75.

June 28, 2007: Drafted by the Atlanta Hawks

On June 28, 2007, Al Horford was selected by the Atlanta Hawks with the third overall pick in the 2007 NBA draft.

2007: Signed Rookie Contract

In 2007, Al Horford signed his rookie scale contract with the Atlanta Hawks.

2007: NBA Draft and Second NCAA Championship

In 2007, Al Horford won a second consecutive NCAA national championship and was drafted third overall by the Atlanta Hawks in the NBA draft.

2008: Joined Dominican Republic national team

In 2008, Al Horford became a member of the Dominican Republic national team.

2008: Second Season in the NBA

In the 2008-09 season, Al Horford started all 67 games he played for the Atlanta Hawks, averaging 11.5 points and 9.3 rebounds.

2009: Outstanding Season

In the 2009-10 season, Al Horford had an outstanding season with the Atlanta Hawks, contributing 14.2 points and 9.9 rebounds.

November 1, 2010: Contract Extension with the Hawks

On November 1, 2010, Al Horford signed a five-year, $60 million contract extension with the Atlanta Hawks.

2010: Most Games Since 2010-2011 Season

In the 2014-2015 season, Al Horford played in 76 regular-season games, the most since the 2010-2011 season.

2011: All-Star Weekend and All-NBA Third Team

In 2011, Al Horford was an All-Star for the second straight year and a member of the Atlanta team that won the Shooting Stars Competition. He was also named Third-Team All-NBA.

2011: Won Bronze Medal at FIBA Americas Championship

In 2011, Al Horford won a bronze medal at the FIBA Americas Championship and was named to the All-Tournament Team.

November 26, 2012: Eastern Conference Player of the Week

On November 26, 2012, Al Horford was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week for the first time in his career.

2012: Continued with Dominican Republic national team

In 2012, Al Horford was still a member of the Dominican Republic national team.

February 27, 2013: Career-High 34 Points

On February 27, 2013, Al Horford scored a career-high 34 points in a 102–91 victory over the Utah Jazz.

December 22, 2014: Eastern Conference Player of the Week

On December 22, 2014, Al Horford was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week for the second time in his career.

January 13, 2015: First Career Triple-Double

On January 13, 2015, Al Horford recorded his first career triple-double with 21 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists in a victory over the Philadelphia 76ers.

November 11, 2015: Career-High Three-Pointers

On November 11, 2015, Al Horford scored 26 points and made a career-high four three-pointers in a victory over the New Orleans Pelicans.

February 12, 2016: Named to All-Star Team

On February 12, 2016, Al Horford was named to replace the injured Chris Bosh on the 2016 Eastern Conference All-Star team, marking his fourth All-Star selection.

July 1, 2016: Became an Unrestricted Free Agent

On July 1, 2016, Al Horford became an unrestricted free agent.

July 8, 2016: Signed with the Boston Celtics

On July 8, 2016, Al Horford signed a four-year, $113 million contract with the Boston Celtics, expressing his excitement to collaborate with head coach Brad Stevens to pursue a championship for the team.

October 26, 2016: Celtics Debut

On October 26, 2016, Al Horford debuted with the Boston Celtics in a 122–117 victory over the Brooklyn Nets, contributing 11 points, five rebounds, and six assists.

2016: Signing with the Boston Celtics

In the 2016 offseason, Al Horford signed with the Boston Celtics as a free agent after playing nine seasons with the Atlanta Hawks.

March 19, 2017: Season-High 27 Points

On March 19, 2017, Al Horford scored a season-high 27 points in a 105–99 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers.

November 12, 2017: Returned From Concussion, Scored 21 Points

On November 12, 2017, Al Horford returned from a two-game absence due to a concussion and scored 21 points, helping the Celtics narrowly beat the Toronto Raptors 95–94.

February 4, 2018: Game-Winning Shot Against Trail Blazers

On February 4, 2018, Al Horford made a 15-foot fadeaway jumper at the buzzer to lift the Celtics to a 97–96 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers, finishing with 22 points and 10 rebounds.

October 19, 2018: 14 Points, 10 Rebounds, and 9 Assists vs. Raptors

On October 19, 2018, Al Horford recorded 14 points, 10 rebounds, and nine assists in a 113–101 loss to the Toronto Raptors.

February 21, 2019: 21 Points and Season-High 17 Rebounds

On February 21, 2019, Al Horford recorded 21 points, five assists, and a season-high 17 rebounds in a 98–97 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks.

July 10, 2019: Signed with the Philadelphia 76ers

On July 10, 2019, Al Horford signed a four-year, $97 million contract with the Philadelphia 76ers as an unrestricted free agent.

October 23, 2019: 76ers Debut

On October 23, 2019, Al Horford debuted with the 76ers, recording 16 points, two rebounds, and three assists in a 107–93 victory over his former team, the Boston Celtics.

2019: Signing with the Philadelphia 76ers

In the 2019 offseason, Al Horford signed with the Philadelphia 76ers after playing for the Boston Celtics.

December 8, 2020: Traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder

On December 8, 2020, Al Horford was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder, alongside a 2025 first-round pick and the draft rights to Théo Maledon and Vasilije Micić, in exchange for Terrance Ferguson, Danny Green, and Vincent Poirier.

December 26, 2020: Thunder Debut

On December 26, 2020, Al Horford debuted with the Oklahoma City Thunder, recording three points, three assists, and a season-high 13 rebounds in a 109–107 victory over the Charlotte Hornets.

2020: Trade to the Oklahoma City Thunder

In the 2020 offseason, Al Horford was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder after playing a season with the Philadelphia 76ers.

February 5, 2021: Season-High 26 Points

On February 5, 2021, Al Horford scored a season-high 26 points, alongside seven rebounds, eight assists, two steals, and three blocks in a 106–103 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

June 18, 2021: Traded back to the Boston Celtics

On June 18, 2021, Al Horford was traded back to the Boston Celtics, alongside Moses Brown and a 2023 second-round pick, in exchange for Kemba Walker, the 16th overall pick in the 2021 NBA draft, and a 2025 second-round pick.

2021: Trade Back to the Celtics

Prior to the 2021 NBA season, Al Horford was traded back to the Boston Celtics.

March 3, 2022: Season-High 21 Points and 15 Rebounds

On March 3, 2022, Al Horford had a season-high 21 points and 15 rebounds, helping the Celtics beat the Memphis Grizzlies 120–107.

May 7, 2022: 22 points and 16 Rebounds in Game 3 vs Bucks

On May 7, 2022, in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Milwaukee Bucks, Al Horford scored 22 points along with 16 rebounds, five assists, and two blocks.

May 29, 2022: Reached NBA Finals for the first time

On May 29, 2022, Al Horford reached the NBA Finals for the first time in his 15-year career as the Celtics defeated the Miami Heat 100–96 in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

December 1, 2022: Signed Two-Year Extension with Celtics

On December 1, 2022, Al Horford signed a two-year, $20 million contract extension with the Boston Celtics.

2022: Reaching the NBA Finals

In 2022, Al Horford reached the NBA Finals with the Celtics.

January 19, 2023: 20 Points and 10 Rebounds vs. Warriors

On January 19, 2023, Al Horford recorded 20 points, 10 rebounds, and three blocks as the Celtics beat the Golden State Warriors in overtime 121–118.

2023: Named to extended list for FIBA Basketball World Cup

In 2023, Al Horford was selected for the Dominican Republic's 30-man extended list ahead of the FIBA Basketball World Cup.

April 29, 2024: Started at center due to Porziņģis' injury

On April 29, 2024, Kristaps Porziņģis was injured in Game 4 of the first round of the playoffs against the Miami Heat, putting Al Horford in line to be the Celtics' starting center.

September 12, 2024: Visited Dominican Republic with Larry O'Brien Trophy

On September 12, 2024, Al Horford visited the Dominican Republic with the Larry O'Brien Trophy, the first of his countrymen to do so.

2024: NBA Championship

In 2024, Al Horford won his first NBA title after playing 186 career playoff games without one, the second most all-time.

2024: NBA Championship with the Boston Celtics

In 2024, Al Horford won the NBA championship with the Boston Celtics.

February 21, 2025: Number Retired at Grand Ledge High School

On February 21, 2025, Al Horford’s #42 was retired at Grand Ledge High School, making him only the second member of the Grand Ledge High School Athletics Hall of Fame to also have his number retired.