Steph Curry Sends Strong Al Horford Message After Warriors Comeback Win
Coming into Wednesday's Play-In matchup, Golden State Warriors veteran center Al Horford had recorded just nine games all season where he landed three or more three-pointers. He had not hit three triples in a game in nearly a month, but when it mattered most on Wednesday night, he delivered.
Horford had just two points in the first half as Golden State trailed by eight entering the break. However, a dominant second half from Steph Curry and clutch shooting from Horford in the fourth quarter powered the Warriors to a 126–121 win.
Curry finished with 35 points, four assists, and one steal, with 27 of those points coming after halftime. But it was Horford's perfect 4-for-4 shooting from beyond the arc in the fourth quarter that proved decisive, as he scored 12 points in the final six minutes to keep Golden State's season alive.
Horford ended the night with 14 points and three rebounds, earning high praise from Curry afterward.
"He's been doing it when he's been available all year, his whole career. There's no hesitation, he knocks shots down, shoots with confidence, it was beautiful to watch," Curry said. "...For him to take those shots with confidence, that means he's put the work in, that means he has belief in himself."
Al Horford 14 PTS, 3 REB, 5/8 FG, 4/7 3FG, 0 FTS, 87.5% TS vs Clippers
— Basketball Performances (@NBAPerformances) April 16, 2026
12 PTS, 4/4 3FG IN THE 4TH. pic.twitter.com/ePlulqVvbfhttps://t.co/hhojsZCiVt
Curry also spoke about Horford's winning mentality. "You can't teach that championship grit. He's won everywhere he's been. Two championships in college, one with Boston."
Horford joined the Warriors in October, a year after winning his first NBA title with the Boston Celtics. The 39-year-old has been a steady contributor all season, averaging 8.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game while shooting 36.1% from three.
Head coach Steve Kerr was equally impressed with Horford's turnaround.
"What Al did tonight is one of the most difficult things to do in sports. When you're having a rough night through three quarters, to just flip it all of a sudden… Al was absolutely brilliant," he said postgame.
Horford and Curry will now look to carry that momentum into another elimination game on Friday against the Phoenix Suns. The winner will face the defending champion, the Oklahoma City Thunder, in the first round of the playoffs.
It is an extremely tough road ahead, but the Warriors will continue to believe as long as Curry is on the floor and Horford can deliver in the clutch.
Related: Steph Curry Leaves No Doubt on His Opinion of Kawhi Leonard
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This story was originally published April 16, 2026 at 7:30 AM.