Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr delivered an encouraging update on veteran big man Al Horford following Sunday’s narrow 117-116 loss to the Houston Rockets, signaling that the 39-year-old is on the verge of a return as the team pushes toward the NBA play-in tournament.
According to ESPN’s Anthony Slater, Kerr revealed that Horford will ramp up his workouts in the coming days, with the goal of making his comeback later this week. The positive development comes at a critical moment for the Warriors, who recently welcomed back Stephen Curry from injury and are fighting to solidify their rotation in the final stretch of the regular season.
Horford has missed the last 12 games with a strained right soleus (calf injury). He was re-evaluated recently and continues to show strong progress. The team confirmed on Saturday that the veteran has been advancing his on-court recovery work, taking positive steps after being limited to individual drills in previous weeks.
The Dominican big man last suited up on March 13 in a 127-117 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. In his first season with the Warriors after signing as a free agent, Horford has appeared in 43 games, averaging 8.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.2 blocks in 21.7 minutes per game. His steady presence, floor spacing, and defensive instincts have provided valuable stability to Golden State’s frontcourt.
A timely return from Horford would be a major boost for the Warriors as they head into the play-in tournament. The veteran’s experience, basketball IQ, and ability to stretch the floor with his shooting complement Curry’s playmaking and help address depth issues that have plagued the team amid multiple injuries this season.
Kerr’s optimistic timeline suggests Horford could rejoin the lineup in time to log meaningful minutes before the regular season concludes, giving the Warriors an opportunity to integrate him back into the rotation and build chemistry heading into the high-stakes play-in games.
While the Warriors continue to navigate a challenging injury landscape, the potential addition of Horford alongside a healthy Curry offers a glimmer of hope for a more competitive push. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if the veteran center can make his long-awaited return and help stabilize Golden State’s frontcourt when it matters most.
The Warriors’ focus now shifts to managing Horford’s workload carefully during the ramp-up phase to ensure he returns at full strength and remains available for the crucial games ahead.