Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr didn’t mince words Wednesday night following a tense 121-116 loss to the Sacramento Kings. With Al Horford struggling early in the season, missing all eight of his shots in the defeat, questions were swirling about whether the 39-year-old veteran could still make a meaningful impact on a title-contending team. Kerr, however, was having none of it.
“I thought Al played a great basketball game tonight. The ball didn’t go in. He took all the right shots. They all looked good. They’re going to go in. He’s Al Horford,” Kerr told reporters, according to ESPN’s Anthony Slater. “We know what kind of shooter he is. His presence defensively and his rebounding — he’s a hell of a player. A slow start for him. To be expected, honestly, when you go to a new team. I’m not worried about Al at all.”
Despite Horford’s 0-for-8 shooting performance, the Warriors have leaned on his experience as a stabilizing force in a roster integrating younger talent. Over six games this season, the five-time All-Star is averaging 4.5 points and 4.5 rebounds while shooting just 29.7 percent from the field and 20.8 percent from three-point range—a noticeable drop from his Boston days.
Golden State’s offense has been inconsistent without Stephen Curry and Draymond Green fully back in rhythm. Wednesday night, Will Richard and Moses Moody combined for 58 points while Jonathan Kuminga added 24. But costly turnovers—19 in total—allowed Sacramento to pull ahead in the fourth quarter, powered by Russell Westbrook’s triple-double and Dennis Schroder’s timely three-pointers.
Horford, acquired during the offseason after seven seasons in Boston, has primarily come off the bench. His minutes have hovered around 22 per game as Kerr emphasizes patience while the veteran adjusts to the Warriors’ system. Early signs suggest the strategy is working: Horford’s defensive communication and rebounding have drawn praise from teammates even when his offensive production dips.
Kerr doubled down during a fiery postgame press conference, making it clear that Horford’s leadership and championship experience are invaluable. “Listen, Al is a proven winner. I don’t care what anyone says—he’s been a cornerstone for championship teams, and one slow start doesn’t define him. He brings leadership, IQ, and defensive presence that you just can’t measure with early-season stats. I believe in him, the team believes in him, and anyone who doubts his impact clearly hasn’t been paying attention to what he does on and off the court,” Kerr said.
He continued, with a pointed glance at the media, “We’ve got a long season ahead, and Al’s going to play a critical role in our push. So, let the critics talk—we’re focused on winning, and Al is part of that equation.”
With the Warriors now sitting at 5-4, Golden State will head to Denver to face the Nuggets on Friday, aiming to stabilize an offense that has struggled at times without its star backcourt fully clicking. Meanwhile, Sacramento improved to 3-5 behind DeMar DeRozan’s 25 points and Westbrook’s 204th career triple-double.
For now, the message from Kerr is unmistakable: don’t count out Al Horford. His shooting may be slow to return, but his leadership, defense, and experience remain pillars for a team balancing veteran savvy with youthful energy. Golden State is betting that, over time, Horford will prove he still belongs on a championship-caliber roster—and the coach isn’t shy about defending him while the skeptics talk.
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