It’s been five years since Al Horford has suited up as a member of the Philadelphia 76ers but the Celtics big man still gets an especially chilly reception every time he returns to Wells Fargo Center.
The boos came early and often again on Thursday night towards the 38-year-old as Boston cruised to a 124-104 win over the 76ers. Horford was one of several bright spots in the performance for Boston, posting 11 points and four rebounds in the victory off the bench, one of six Celtics players to score in double figures.
After the victory, Horford was questioned about what it was like to hear the extra vitriol so long after his departure and provided a candid response.
“It’s great. It’s fun. I like it,” Horford declared to reporters in Philadelphia.
The 76ers plucked away Horford from the Celtics after the 2018-19 season in hopes of pairing him successfully with Joel Embiid in the frontcourt. However, that duo proved to be a clunky fit and Horford struggled with his 3-point shooting, leading ultimately to an ugly first round exit for Philadelphia that season. The Sixers shipped Horford away to the Thunder in the 2020 offseason yet Horford still takes the heat for rejoining Philadelphia’s rival in Boston via trade a year later.
“They care enough to boo. It’s good to be cared for,” Horford said of the extra boos he hears in Philadelphia.
Horford and the Celtics are happy to be moving in a different direction from the Sixers after winning eight of their last nine games. Meanwhile, the Sixers fans turned the booing towards their own players by the end of the night, as they lost their eighth contest over the past ninth games despite playing with their usual starting five.
Horford is done with visits to Philadelphia this season but Boston will host the Sixers once more next month at TD Garden.
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