Golden State will likely get a boost from Al Horford against the Mavs on Christmas Day

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – The Golden State Warriors are ready to receive a a much-needed Christmas present in the form of Al Horford. The veteran center, who has missed the past seven games with a right sciatica problem, is expected to be available for the Dubs’ holiday matchup with the Dallas Mavericks, coach Steve Kerr said on Christmas Eve media session.

“Al (Horford) will probably play tomorrow,” Steve Kerr told reporters.

Horford has yet to find a consistent amount of floor time for the Warriors. Load management and a sciatic nerve problem have plagued the 39-year-old this season, limiting his availability.

Horford was one of the Warriors’ key free agents this past offseason. Along with veteran championship experience, the Dubs envisioned him to provide a unique combination of spacing and defense as a center, something they haven’t had in the past.

But with nagging injuries, limited minutes and a policy of not playing him on either side of the back-to-back, Horford hasn’t had the impact the Warriors expected 30 games into the season. The veteran center is averaging 5.6 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 13 games this season. In his limited availability, he shot a career low 29.8% from deep and 32.1% from the field.

How the Warriors Filled the Spot Without Quinten Post

In his absence, The Warriors turned to second-year center Quinten Postwho has been one of their better players this season. Post leads the team with a +137 plus/minus, more than Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler. He’s also a team-high +11.9 in differential efficiency, which ranks 93rd in the league.

As a 5, Post offers many of the same things Horford does offensively. However, his defensive rebounds this season have made Kerr willing to start him.

“I think his defense has gotten a lot better,” Kerr said earlier this month. “The tape shows it. The numbers show it. We’re able to switch with him.”

With Horford returning to the fold, it’s unlikely he’ll replace Post’s minutes. And Horford’s return also complicates a busy rotation in which Kerr regularly goes ten or eleven guys deep. Trace Jackson-Davis has been the steady backup center of late, and Guy Santos has become Kerr’s spark plug off the bench.

Still, Horford’s return shouldn’t complicate things too much. Horford’s limited availability will likely keep the current rotation intact. And smaller Dubs will always require big options. But if 15-15 Warriors want to go anywhere this season, they’ll need to get something out of their key free agency addition, who has otherwise done little on the field.