In a media availability on October 1, 2025, Al Horford fielded questions from reporters about his recent free‑agency move from the Boston Celtics to the Golden State Warriors. He described the decision as emotionally difficult, emphasizing his deep ties to Boston and the importance of family stability before committing to a new team. Horford explained that retirement was never a consideration because he still feels physically and mentally capable of competing. He chose the Warriors for their championship culture, citing Steph Curry, Draymond Green, and coach Steve Kerr as key attractions, and highlighted the chance to learn from elite defenders like Draymond. Horford discussed his approach to longevity, crediting his faith, disciplined sleep, nutrition, and a lifestyle that embraces daily grind. He addressed how he envisions fitting into the Warriors' defensive schemes, noting the different rotations and the need to acclimate quickly. The conversation also covered team chemistry, leadership, and the veteran age narrative, with Horford acknowledging the perception of being “old” yet stressing depth, experience, and health. He shared the personal significance of his new jersey number 20, and recounted his family’s reaction—his son’s excitement and his daughters’ support. Throughout, Horford conveyed a tone of thoughtful reflection, optimism, and humility about his role on a veteran‑laden, championship‑aspiring roster.
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Al, Danny Emmerman with the SF Standard over here. You spent 7 of the last 9 years with Boston, you know, won a championship, your family's there. How difficult was the decision to leave? It was very difficult. You know, Boston became a second home for me and just being in that community, and being part of that city was something very special for me and my family. So it wasn't an easy decision for me to make. And how seriously did you consider retiring? Not at all. I knew I wanted to keep playing. Anthony Steiner with ESPN. How are you? Can you—
why did you choose the Warriors?
What do you see in them with this opportunity? It's a great opportunity to compete and to win at a high level. When I think about the Warriors, I think about Steph and Draymond and Steve Kerr and seeing Jimmy Butler here, what he did in that second half of the season last year after the trade and how they're playing. For me, if there was one place that I was going to leave was for this. You know, like I said earlier, it wasn't an easy decision for me to leave Boston, but if there was the place, it was this one. And it happened, and I happened to get this opportunity. So I jumped at it. Demetrius Johnson with KALW Radio. Hey, Al, as you enter year 19, what's the key to longevity physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually? Yeah, I'm glad you asked that question. For me, you know, my faith, it's what holds me, what carries me strong. And that's where it all starts with me. That's where I lean on and that's where I find my strength. And then besides that, you know, you do what everybody else, you know, tells you to do, take care of your body. Make sure that, you know, that you're getting your sleep, nutrition, all the, all those things. And, and, and it's a lifestyle that you have to embrace in order to, to be able to, to continue staying, playing at a high level. I understand the challenges. It's, it's much more difficult the older that you get, but that's where the discipline comes in and the commitment to, to the daily work. And, and you have to enjoy this. You have to enjoy this grind and this process. And I still enjoy it, enjoy it a lot.
Joseph Dykus with the San Jose Mercury News. How do you see yourself fitting with Draymond Green, not just offensively, but on the defensive side of the ball? Steve Kerr said you're someone who, you know, defends the middle. It's kind of a stopper in the back. How do you see yourself fitting on defense?
Well, very well. You know, Draymond is an elite defender. Defensive Player of the Year, All-Defense for many years. Just a guy that knows how to play, that's going to make the game easy for me. And he's somebody that I've been leaning on a lot just since I've been here, just trying to, to, to learn from him, ask questions, trying to get as familiar as I can, as comfortable as I can, especially on the defensive end. And he's just a very smart player that just thinks the game and he sees things very clearly. So for me, I don't think it's going to be an issue. And I'm just going to be, you know, I'm going to be trying to learn from him as much as I can, any opportunity that I can.
And how different do the Warriors do things defensively or just as a scheme compared to other teams you've played on in the league or seen around the league? How different are they?
It is different. It is different, you know, with some of the rotations and how, how we want to defend and the things that we want to take away. So, um, uh, it's, uh, I'm, I'm here trying to get acclimated quickly. And, and, um, today was a really good first day of practice for me. And, uh, I just have to continue to take all the information and, and try to get caught up to speed with, with, uh, what's expected of, of me.
Hi, Al. I'm Janie McCauley from Associated Press.
Welcome.
What was this like for you the last few months when there was so much uncertainty around the Warriors' free agency period because of Kuminga's stalemate? And did you just sort of hold out faith that you'd be here with these guys eventually when the timing was right and to get going? And I'm sure it was a little bit strange as well.
Yeah, yeah, definitely a lot of emotions, a lot of questions. Especially, you know, trying to make a decision. Um, and, and for me, more than anything, I wanted to make sure that, um, that, uh, my family and everybody was, um, stable and in place. Um, and, uh, and, and, and that was the, the biggest thing. Once, once I knew that, that we were taken care of, and, uh, as far as that, that my family was good, um, then everything else, you know, was kind of easy, but But it was definitely a very odd offseason, just kind of waiting and waiting and seeing what's going to happen, seeing what's going to take place. So just my whole focus was on my training and preparing myself and making sure that I was in the best place for, you know, when the season started.
Alton Kawakami, Silver Standard. You've obviously matched up against the Warriors in some huge games, obviously Boston, but I remember some big, big games with Atlanta too. How well do you know these guys? You mentioned talking to Draymond, Did you have pretty good relationships with them even before this, this summer? And like, can you, do you feel like you're just can fold right into this very veteran group too? How do you fit into all that?
Yeah, like you said, we've had our battles over the years. I did not have a relationship with any other guys here. You know, usually when I'm on a team, I don't, you're not going to see me at half court at the end of games. Hugging guys and socializing and doing all that stuff. I mean, maybe it'll change a little bit now because Drew Holliday's in Portland, KP's in Atlanta. Now I'll see some of my former teammates and it'll be maybe some more affection in that way. But I don't have a relationship with any of the guys. So this is all fairly new. But the respect from my end is there with them, with what they've done, you know, as competitors. Competed against them, obviously at the highest level. But, but now that, you know, that we're teammates, I'm quickly trying to get acclimated and quickly trying to find this Warrior way. That's, you know, it's new to me, but I'm, I'm just, I'm excited for, for this opportunity that I'm getting and, and to, to be here. Al, Nick Friedel, The Athletic. If we all agree that talent is most important, as a guy who's won in college, won at the highest level in the pros, what is the through line for championship-caliber teams? Yeah, that's a good question. I think, you know, there has to be connectivity. I feel like that's— You have to find that chemistry within the group. It's not so much about, you know, you do need the talent, but it's, I feel like it's not so much about the names and the things that you have. You have to be able to put it all together. And that team, that particular year, you have to be able to, you know, to figure out how to play with one another and really understand that the best, the team, it's very unique in itself. And I think that when you have success is when you, when you're able to, as a group, to find how to play together, how everybody's understanding that there's a goal at task and nothing else matters. There's, there's no individual numbers or anything else like that. You're, you know, you're playing to win. And when everybody's moving in that same direction and looking in that same direction, that's, I feel like that's when you have a pretty special— group, a pretty special team. And usually that's when you're successful. Hey Al, how you doing? Sam Goran, San Francisco Chronicle. New number for you this year, number 20. Any significance to that? Not really. A lot of the numbers were taken, you know, 42, obviously a great, 15, Geez is 15. And then, with the national team years ago, I wore 10. Jimmy has 10. So, um, uh, 20 felt right. Um, you know, no particular reason. I showed it to my kids, they liked it. So we, we went with it. Thank you.
Hi, Al.
Chris Alvarez from ABC7 here in the back. Welcome to the Bay. Um, kind of, you were talking about your family, how important they are. Uh, what was their reaction when this all went down? You're coming to San Francisco and Are your kids excited that you're teammates with Steph and Dre and Jimmy now? Yeah. So, you know, a lot of conversations with my wife and a lot of walks before making the decision and everything. And then once we told the kids, you know, they were definitely surprised. You know, we were pretty settled, but I think once time started to pass a little bit and, and they knew that I was coming here and that I was gonna be playing with, you know, with Steph, you know, my son right away, you know, he's very excited about it. He's very excited about, you know, being here and learning. He's, you know, he loves basketball history and he knows, he's at the age that he kind of understands a little more. My girls are excited, but he really gets it. So it's, they're all pretty excited. Thank you. Hey, Al. Dalton Johnson, NBC Sports Bay Area. Just want to know your thoughts about the historical narrative surrounding the ages of yourself, Steph, Draymond, and Jimmy, and what you guys can prove to the naysayers when it comes to that. Yeah, no, it's fair. You know, it's an older group, no question about it. But it's funny because I feel like I've been getting called old since like 30. You know, I remember when I signed with Boston, that first extension, I think Brad said something like, oh, you're the oldest guy on the team or something like that, you know, at 30. And I feel like that narrative's been following me every year and it is true, but we have a very solid team. It's not only the 4 of us, it's, we have a lot of depth in this group and a lot of the young guys I feel are going to play a big role in it. And for us is staying the course. You know, obviously health plays a big part in it. And I think that, you know, the focus is on the season and getting better. But I am excited. I know that those guys take care of themselves. They're going to do everything they need to do to be on the floor. And we have a lot of experience.
Hello, Carith Burke, NBC Sports Bay Area. Your old Boston teammate Luke Kornet said, "He's the best teammate I've ever played with. Just a great leader." What are the things that make a great leader? And will that come naturally or might it be just a little awkward as a new guy in the room?
Luke is great. I miss Luke. Yeah, I mean, I think that for me it's very clear Draymond is our leader here and then Steph and Jimmy as well. And I'm gonna just kind of follow suit. And continue to look to learn from them, to take guidance from them, and be here for whatever is needed from me. And there will be times that I'll probably step in, and if there's something that needs to be said, it'll be addressed. But I mean, I'm coming into a team that's already very established and has those leaders and has that identity. So I'm just— Just very, very happy to just just to be here, to have this opportunity.
Hey, Al. Kenzo Fukuda with Clutch Points. A lot of people are excited about your fit with Steph Curry offensively. I think Steve was saying, I don't think he's had a stretch 5 like of your caliber before. I was wondering what sort of— how do you sort of foresee your fit with Steph?
Yeah, I'm excited. I'm excited just to, you know, to be able to be on the floor with him and not have to chase him around and try to contest him and all that. So the fact that we're on the same side, it's something that— it's special for me. And I'm really going to try to take advantage and, you know, learn from him as much as I can. He sees the game in a very incredible way. And I'm just going to, you know, follow suit and really, you know, lean on him and lean on Draymond to— [SPEAKING SPANISH] to kind of show me the way.
