Horford and Porzingis Reunite with Celtics, Reflect on Emotional Homecoming

Former Celtics stars Al Horford and Kristaps Porzingis prepare to face their old team with the Warriors, sharing their excitement and anticipation for the reunion.

Feb. 26, 2026 at 11:39pm by Ben Kaplan

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Al Horford and Kristaps Porzingis, now teammates on the Golden State Warriors, are preparing to face their former team, the Boston Celtics, in an emotionally charged matchup. The two players reflect on their successful stint with the Celtics, where they won an NBA championship just two years ago, and express their excitement and surprise at the unexpected reunion. Horford shares his anticipation about reconnecting with former teammates and coaches, while Porzingis acknowledges the complexity of facing a team that holds a special place in their hearts. Despite the Celtics' roster changes, the team has maintained a strong performance, defying many analysts' predictions of a decline, which Horford attributes to the team's culture and the growth of younger players.

Why it matters

The reunion between Horford, Porzingis, and the Celtics holds deep emotional significance, as it reflects the strong bonds and shared success the players experienced during their time in Boston. The game also highlights the resilience and adaptability of the Celtics organization, which has continued to thrive despite significant roster changes. The upcoming matchups between the Warriors and Celtics promise intense competition underscored by personal stories and heartfelt emotions, emphasizing the deep connections forged through the sport of basketball.

The details

Horford and Porzingis, now teammates on the Golden State Warriors, are preparing to face their former team, the Boston Celtics, in an emotionally charged matchup. Porzingis reflected on the unlikely reunion, saying, "If somebody said while we're in Boston, that this was going to be the scenario, who would believe this?" Horford shared his excitement about reconnecting with former Celtics teammates and coaches, noting that his son Ian has been eager to see many of the familiar faces. Despite the Celtics' roster changes, the team has maintained a strong performance, holding a 35-19 record and ranking second in the Eastern Conference, defying many analysts' predictions of a decline. Horford attributed the Celtics' success to the team's culture and the growth of younger players like Neemias Queta and Jordan Walsh.

  • The Warriors and Celtics will face off in San Francisco on February 20, 2026.
  • The two teams will meet again later in the season in Boston.

The players

Al Horford

A veteran NBA player who previously won a championship with the Boston Celtics.

Kristaps Porzingis

A professional basketball player who also won a championship with the Boston Celtics alongside Al Horford.

Jayson Tatum

A star player for the Boston Celtics who is currently recovering from a torn Achilles.

Jaylen Brown

The leading scorer for the Boston Celtics, averaging a career-high 29.3 points per game.

Joe Mazzulla

The head coach of the Boston Celtics, who has maintained the team's winning culture despite roster changes.

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What they’re saying

“If somebody said while we're in Boston, that this was going to be the scenario, who would believe this? But this is how it works out. And obviously, you know, we expected Boston to have some changes with the money stuff. But yeah, it's gonna be weird, especially this first game back against Boston.”

— Kristaps Porzingis

“For me, it's a lot of excitement. And, you know, my son Ian's been raving about seeing a lot of the guys and seeing a lot of the coaches. The whole thing is just, you know, it'll be cool… It's been different for us, but it's been good. It's been good for him, and it's been good for us as a family.”

— Al Horford

“No, because of Joe [Mazzulla] and the culture that has been established in Boston. Probably the most surprising part has been the growth of Mimi [Neemias Queta] and Jordan Walsh. They have really taken huge steps in their development, and how they're playing and how they're impacting winning.”

— Al Horford

“I knew… going to Boston. It was going to be like championship expectations. It's something every player strives [for], to be in that position… and we did it once. The second year didn't work out perfectly, but yeah, we had our time out there and enjoyed every moment of it. And at the end, we accomplished the big objective.”

— Kristaps Porzingis

“It's exciting for me, just from the standpoint that I used to see a lot of people that I care about and will compete on the court, and that goes on. And then, after being able to catch up in a way with a lot of people. It's just very special to me.”

— Al Horford

What’s next

Porzingis, who has been rehabbing Achilles tendonitis during the break, is listed as questionable for the upcoming game but remains hopeful about participating.

The takeaway

The reunion between Horford, Porzingis, and the Celtics highlights the deep bonds and shared success the players experienced during their time in Boston, as well as the resilience and adaptability of the Celtics organization. The upcoming matchups between the Warriors and Celtics promise intense competition underscored by personal stories and heartfelt emotions, emphasizing the enduring connections forged through the sport of basketball.