Boston Celtics center Al Horford’s first title an inspiration for Dominican Republic

BOSTON – At 38 years and 14 days old, Al Horford finally realized his dream, which took longer to come true for him than any first-time NBA champion.

Horford claimed his first NBA title in his 186th playoff game — more playoff games than any player before winning his first NBA championship — after the Celtics defeated the Dallas Mavericks 106-88 in Game 5 of the 2024 NBA Finals on Monday night at TD Garden. Horford is now tied as the fourth-oldest player to win an NBA championship, according to StatMuse. The Dominican Republic native contributed as a starter with 9 points, 9 rebounds, 2 steals and 2 assists in 31 minutes.

“It means everything. It’s special,” Horford told Andscape after the triumph. “I can’t believe that this has happened. It hasn’t sunk in. But, man, I give God the glory. My journey has been tough. But this is special and I’m going to take this in.

“My age is the bigger testimony for me. To be able to compete and play at this high level, I just feel very blessed.”

Horford, who held his daughters as they waved Dominican Republic flags during the championship celebration, became the first Dominican to win an NBA title. It was his second Finals appearance after losing with the Celtics to the Golden State Warriors in 2022.

Horford told Andscape before the game there were Finals watch parties in his honor in his hometown of Puerto Plata at the Parque Central Independencia. The well-known meeting point was constructed as a tribute to Gen. Gregorio Luperon, the 28th president of the Dominican Republic from 1879-80. But on this night, Parque Central Independencia was a meeting point to celebrate Horford. There were similar watch parties all over the Dominican Republic.

“I just hope this inspires a younger generation to dream and understand that if they set their mind to it, they can be in this position as well,” Horford said. “It wasn’t a given for me to be in the NBA. I want to just give hope to the next generation.”

The Dominican Republic is a proud and successful baseball country, and nothing will change that. But Horford’s wife, Amelia Vega, a singer and former Miss Universe, told Andscape she expects countless Dominican children to be inspired to play basketball now due to this championship.

“I really haven’t stopped a minute to think about everything I’m feeling,” Vega said. “I’m grateful with the Lord. [I’m] Proud, proud of my husband and the team for what they have accomplished …

“It’s amazing. Everyone is very proud of him in the Dominican Republic. Seeing the support, it’s huge. And I know we’re going to see a big generation of Dominican basketball players coming after this soon, hopefully.”

There was a lot of support in Boston — Vega believed they had about 30 family members at the game, besides their five children and Horford’s parents, former NBA center Tito Horford and Arelis Reynoso. The kids went to the championship stage with their father. As Horford made the media rounds postgame, his son and eldest child, 9-year-old Ean, smiled and proudly followed his father around. Horford previously told Andscape that was excited that Ean was old enough to enjoy his basketball success.

“I’m so happy. I dreamed for this. I’m so proud. He worked very hard this year and I’m very happy for him,” Ean told Andscape.

Horford had several friends in attendance, including former MLB pitcher and childhood friend Julio Borbón.

“I’ve known Al since he was 6 years old,” Borbón told Andscape. “I get emotional just seeing where he is at this point in his career. He was finally able to get this championship.

“We are on a [text] thread from elementary to all the way up. Everybody is excited for him and happy. They have seen the 17 years he has put in. They can’t wait to celebrate him and talk about how they feel about his journey so far.”

Horford played in his first career playoff game as a rookie with the Atlanta Hawks on April 20, 2008, against the 2008 NBA champion Celtics. The Hawks team pushed Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and that Celtics squad to seven games in their first-round series. Allen, Leon Powe, Brian Scalabrine and Eddie House are members of the Celtics’ 2008 title team who attended Game 5 on Monday.

Horford entered Game 5 as second in NBA history in postseason games played without winning a title. The only NBA player who played in more postseason games without winning a title was two-time NBA MVP Karl Malone, who played in a record 193 playoff games without a championship.

Horford strongly appreciates that his longevity has connected him to NBA legends.

“It’s pretty special. Obviously, you want to win in these positions, but when you’re being mentioned with guys like that, that have had a lot of success in the playoffs, that’s kind of special,” Horford said.

Three days before the NBA Finals began, Horford celebrated his 38th birthday with friends and family in Boston.

The days of a big birthday party in a nightclub have been long over for the husband and father. Instead, the excitement came from watching kids running around and lots of dancing. On what Horford described as a “cheat day,” the menu included native food such as Dominican sausage, sweet plantains, moro rice and fried cheese and steak.

“We also had a little music, too. Some merengue,” Horford said.

Horford, Malone, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (four times), Tim Duncan and Mavericks coach Jason Kidd were the only players 38 or older to have started in the NBA Finals. Horford joined Kidd, who played for the 2011 NBA champion Mavericks, as the only two to win their first NBA titles at 38 years old. Horford is also three years older than Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla.

With or without a title, Horford was strongly respected by Mazzulla and his teammates.

“At 38 years old man, he’s a fabric guy,” Celtics forward Jaylen Brown, the NBA Finals MVP, told Andscape. “[He] Keeps us together. I can’t say enough about him. Great person off the court, a great leader, and just solid. You know you can rely on him.”

When asked what the key for Horford is playing at 38, Mazzulla said, “Just his professionalism. He’s just the best. I mean, the way he takes care of his body, his consistency, who he is as a person, as a great teammate. He’s everything you want in an organization and a coach, and he’s one of the cornerstones of what we do.”

Before tipoff, Horford went to the rim and hung from the net, as usual. He also led to the first cheer from the Celtics fans by winning the tipoff. At the halftime buzzer, Celtics guard Payton Pritchard nailed his second half-court shot of the Finals — after a rebound and pass from Horford — to push Dallas’ lead to 67-46. The Celtics were up by as many as 26 points and were never challenged by Dallas the rest of the way.

With 2:02 remaining and Boston up 106-88, Horford came out of the game for the last time. As he walked to the bench, he raised both hands into the air toward the Celtics fans as they cheered. Shortly afterward, Boston’s 16-year championship drought was over, and a league-best championship banner No. 18 was claimed.

“It was a relief, man,” Horford said. “It’s hard with the expectations of winning in Boston. But just the relief, I still can’t believe it. I’m talking about this right now, but I still can’t believe it.”

Horford’s sisters believed in their brother.

“I knew he had it in him. Absolutely. Especially this season. This team was different. It wasn’t just him. But that whole team,” Horford’s sister Maria Horford said.

“He was determined,” Horford’s sister Anna Horford said.

So, what is the key to Horford playing until he was nearly 40 years old? Horford credited his great body shape and diet, but he primarily credits his Christian faith for helping him to be mentally strong and confident on the NBA floor.

“I love playing. I enjoy being in a team setting and just being a part of an NBA team, an NBA locker room,” Horford said. “I really just find joy in this. Just the routine, the process of it. My body feels good. Obviously [there are] bumps and bruises throughout the season, but for me the biggest thing is just trying to stay in a good place physically so I can be able to play.

“What puts me over the top even more than the physical is my faith. The spiritual part and the mental part are carrying me. There is so much that comes with all this. And people can lift weights and eat right and do whatever. But for me, my Christian faith, that’s the biggest distinction and difference for my longevity. God has spoken to my heart.”

“He’s a man of faith and he’s a Christian. [God has] giving him everything he knows to unveil the secrets of how to stay young and prominent like he is,” Vega said.

After seeing Horford’s work ethic for years, Borbón said that he is not surprised that Horford is still playing at 38.

“I know what he is about,” Borbón said. “Things that people don’t get to see, I’ve been able to be a part of and see. It’s pretty rewarding and inspiring even for me at this stage.”

If you think Horford may retire from the NBA now that he has won a championship, think again.

Horford has one year and $9.5 million remaining on his contract with the Celtics. The 6-foot-9, 240-pounder averaged 8.6 points and 6.4 rebounds while starting in 33 of 65 regular-season games this season. There don’t appear to be any major signs of decline, and Horford told Andscape he would love to play into his 40s.

“My whole thing is like, I want to feel good,” Horford said. “I want to feel like I’m able to contribute. I can have an impact on the game and that I feel good and that I’m enjoying this and I’m enjoying it, man. So, I’m not really going to put an age limit on it type thing. It feels good right now.

“It would be special [playing into his 40s]. There’s not a lot of guys that can say they can do that. LeBron [James] is almost there. But it’d be nice if I can do it and I can keep going.”

Keep going for himself, his family, his friends, the Celtics and the Dominican Republic.