Al Horford and Kristaps Porzingis share their thoughts on the Celtics matchup

SAN FRANCISCO – If you said so Al Horford and Kristaps Porzingisduring their championship runs with the Boston Celticsto meet together at Golden State Warriorsthey would I didn’t believe you.

“If somebody said while we’re in Boston, that’s going to be the script,” Porzingis said. “Who would believe this? But this is how it works. And obviously, you know, we expected Boston to have some money changes. But yeah, it’s going to be weird, especially this first game against Boston.”

With the Celtics in town, Porzingis and Horford will be reunited with the team they helped lead to an NBA title just two years ago. For two players who loved the city, loved their teammates and their time in the iconic green and white jerseys, it will be an emotional affair, not only for them but for their families as well.

After the Warriors’ first full game since the All-Star break, Horford expressed his excitement to see all of his former teammates and coaches.

“It’s a big thrill for me,” Horford said. And, you know, my son Ian raved about seeing a lot of guys and a lot of coaches. The whole thing is just, you know, it’s going to be cool… It was different for us, but it was good. It was good for him, and it was good for us as a family.”

How the Celtics have fared since the departures of Horford and Porzingis

Like the unlikely reunion of Horford and Porzingis in Golden State, the Celtics’ season so far has also been quite the surprise. With Jayson Tatum rehabbing his torn Achilles, the Celtics sacrificing Porzingis and Jrue Holiday by trading their huge salaries to get under another apron, and the steady veteran Horford leaving in free agency, this year was supposed to be a gap year for Boston to lick its wounds and reset.

Instead, the C’s sit at 35-19 on the season, near the top of the East in second place in the conference. Where they were a year ago. And a year before that. This is a surprise for all the experts and analysts who predicted a semi-tank. But for Horford, the Celtics’ unexpected success isn’t much of a surprise.

“No,” Horford said when asked if there was any success for Boston this season surprised him. “Because of Joe (Macula) and the culture that’s been established in Boston. Probably the most surprising part has been the growth of Mimi (Neemias Cueto) and Jordan Walsh. They’ve really made huge strides in their development, both how they play and how they impact the game.”

In Tatum’s absence, Jaylen Brown has emerged as the true number one option, averaging a career-high 29.3 points per game. And in the holes left behind by Porzingis, Horford and Holiday, their youth has grown. Cueta, Walsh, Payton Pritchard, Bailor Scheierman, Luca Garza, guys who would watch their powerhouse thunder while sitting on the bench, became the backbone of the Celtics’ depth.

“But overall, it’s kind of expected,” Horford continued, pointing to the expectation of winning inherent in one of the NBA’s most historic franchises. “I just think Brad (Stevens) and Joe have done such a good job there. And it’s something that’s been consistent, so I’m not surprised.”

Al Horford talked about what it will be like to face his old Boston Celtics tomorrow:

“There’s a lot of excitement. My son Ian has been raving, he’s seen a lot of guys and he’s seen a lot of coaches.”

He emphasized that he is not surprised by their success this season. pic.tvitter.com/LjdZPvIjmK

— Kenzo Fukuda (@kenzofuku) February 19, 2026

The emotions of the Celtics reunion

NBA reunions aren’t always honest. But for players like Horford and Porzingis, who have done as much for a team as Boston, this reunion will be special for both sides. As he prepares for the many hugs and hugs, praises and conversations he will have with his old team tomorrow, Porzingis reflected on his short but fruitful time in Boston.

“I knew … I was going to Boston. It was going to be like championship expectations,” Porzingis said, explaining the pressure of playing for a franchise as big as Boston. “That’s something every player strives for (), to be in that position … and we did it once. Sophomore year didn’t go perfectly, but yeah, we had our time out there and enjoyed every moment. And in the end we accomplished a big goal.”

“And you know how much I love playing there. Just everything. The organization, the front office, playing at TD Garden, the floor, the color. It’s an iconic franchise, so it will always be a part of my memory as a special time.”

That’s just the first part of the Celtics’ reunion, as the Warriors will still have to travel to Boston later this season, where they’ll get their due from raucous Celtics fans. Not to mention, this matchup could be Porzingis’ debut in a Golden State uniform after nursing Achilles tendinitis during the break. Porzingis is listed as questionable but feels optimistic about her chances of getting on the floor.

Still, this is an exciting moment for two great men.

“It’s exciting for me, just from the standpoint of seeing a lot of people that I care about that are going to compete on the court,” Horford said. “And it continues. And then, after I was able to kind of catch up with a lot of people. It’s very special to me.”