The Golden State Warriors are navigating a challenging stretch without key veterans, but they offered a glimmer of hope regarding one of their steady rotational pieces on Saturday.
Al Horford watched from the sidelines as the Stephen Curry-less Warriors suffered a third consecutive defeat on Thursday, dropping a 118-111 decision to Donovan Mitchell and the Cleveland Cavaliers. The loss pushed Golden State’s record to 36-41 for the 2025-26 season. The team will now attempt to halt the slide on Sunday when they host Kevin Durant and the Houston Rockets at Chase Center.
After several successful seasons with the Boston Celtics—where he captured his first NBA championship—Horford signed a two-year, $11.65 million contract with the Warriors last offseason. The former Florida Gators standout has emerged as a reliable contributor in Steve Kerr’s rotation, posting averages of 8.3 points on 42.4% shooting, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game across 43 appearances (12 starts).
However, Horford’s season took a hit during Golden State’s 127-117 loss to Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves on March 13. He was forced to exit early after suffering a right calf injury, later diagnosed as a soleus strain. The injury has kept the 39-year-old center out for the past 11 games—a tough blow for a Warriors squad already missing Stephen Curry (knee, out since late January but expected back soon) and Jimmy Butler (season-ending torn ACL).
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On Saturday, with Horford still recovering, the Warriors provided a long-awaited positive update. The team confirmed he is making solid progress in his rehabilitation and has even begun participating in portions of team practice.
“Warriors say Al Horford, who has missed the last 11 games due to a strained right soleus, is making good progress,” ESPN’s Marc J. Spears reported on X. “He continues to advance the level of his on-court workouts and was incorporated into parts of team practice today. He will be re-evaluated again early next week.”
This marks the first significant public update from the organization on Horford’s status since the injury occurred. While no firm return timeline has been set, the veteran big man’s integration into practice signals he is trending in the right direction as the Warriors push through a difficult stretch and look ahead to the final stretch of the regular season.
Horford’s veteran presence, defensive instincts, and spacing have been valuable assets for Golden State this year. Fans in the Bay Area will be watching closely for his potential return as the team battles to improve its positioning in the Western Conference standings.