Where to go? Celtics Horford stays silent about Boston s future after being eliminated in the playoffs

Boston Celtics veteran Al Horford did not clarify his future after being eliminated by the New York Knicks in six games in the playoffs.

Boston Celtics veteran Al Horford has long been the team leader, but the 38-year-old big man has left fans and the media wondering what he will be next after the defending champion was eliminated by the New York Knicks in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. With the Boston Celtics' squad expected to change during the offseason, Horford's silence is significant and also heralds a possible change in the team. After a 81-119 defeat at Madison Square Garden and the defending champion season came to an end, The Athletic's Jay King said on X (formerly Twitter) that Horford was not ready to discuss the next plan.

"It's too early to say this," Horford said earlier today. "I'm here to spend my wife and children with a lot of things to deal with."

This remark has once again sparked rumors of retirement in the NBA, especially as the former University of Florida Gators player just finished his 17th NBA season. While he remains one of the most influential veteran defensive players in the league, age and physical fitness have become an inevitable factor. The veteran averaged 9 points and 6.2 rebounds in the 2024-25 season and continued to maintain an on-court advantage with 1.9 three-pointers and 36.3% shooting percentage.

Despite Jason Tatum's Achilles tendon ripped in Game 4, the Celtics finally fought back in Game 5 with a 34-point outbreak of Derek White. However, in Game 6, the New York Knicks suppressed the Boston Celtics early, and head coach Joe Mazula put the starter on the bench in the third quarter.

If Horford leaves, it will mark the end of an era. He helped Boston win the 18th flag in 2024 and has been the cultural pillar of the team. His presence shapes the vitality of the locker room and enhances the performance of his teammates – which is what coach Mazura often praises.

The uncertainty surrounding the big man's future will be at the heart of the offseason narrative. As the Boston Celtics’ roster needs strategic adjustments and Christaps Porzingis faces health problems, Horford’s decision could greatly impact Boston’s fate.

When Boston faces a crossroads of identity, everyone’s eyes will be focused on Horford and how the team chasing the 19th championship will develop next.