For stretches during Boston’s loss to the Rockets, the Celtics’ front court looked entirely comprised of Al Horford. The hefty wrap around his left knee seemed to support Horford and his balky knee and maybe, the future of this team.
The complexion of the Celtics’ roster creates an awkward dichotomy where Horford may not be the most important player on the team, but he’s the loss they would be least prepared to sustain. His seven-game absence with Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome provided a glimpse into a scary, hypothetical reality should Boston lose him to injury or free agency and his return provided evidence of the crucial nature of his role in the C’s success.