Al Horford Lauded for 'Best Game' of Career in Celtics' Game 4 Win vs. Giannis, Bucks

Scott Polacek @@ScottPolacekFeatured Columnist IVMay 10, 2022

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - MAY 09: Al Horford #42 of the Boston Celtics takes the court for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum on May 09, 2022 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

Stacy Revere/Getty Images

The Al Horford game.

Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown may be the best players on the Boston Celtics, but it was the 35-year-old Horford who unleashed some playoff magic Monday. He defied Father Time on his way to 30 points and eight rebounds while leading the Celtics to a 116-108 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

The series is tied at two games apiece after Horford turned in what may have been a career-best performance:

Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps
If Boston pulls this game out, it might be the best game of Al Horford’s career.

Chris Mannix @SIChrisMannix
This is one of the best games Al Horford has played, ever.

Bleacher Report @BleacherReport
AL HORFORD ON GIANNIS 😳 <a href="https://t.co/npIiEGTTMZ">pic.twitter.com/npIiEGTTMZ</a>

Shea Serrano @SheaSerrano
AL HORFORD > MICHAEL JORDAN

Jasmine @JasmineLWatkins
If "iight bet" was a picture <a href="https://t.co/IkZB4daljF">pic.twitter.com/IkZB4daljF</a>

Chris Forsberg @ChrisForsberg_
Fountains of youth want to dip themselves in Al Horford.

David Gardner @byDavidGardner
Last year Al Horford was just wasting away on the Thunder bench, and this year he's going toe to toe with Giannis in the playoffs

NBA @NBA
Al Horford leads the <a href="https://twitter.com/celtics?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@celtics</a> with 24 points!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBAPlayoffs?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBAPlayoffs</a> presented by Google Pixel on TNT <a href="https://t.co/PBFyYC9GkH">pic.twitter.com/PBFyYC9GkH</a>

Bill DiFilippo @billdifilippo
would you rather have al horford or giannis and KD and embiid and jokic AND prime michael jordan AND prime magic johnson AND prime larry bird AND prime kareem

NBA @NBA
AL HORFORD IS ON 🔥<br><br>He knocks down the flip shot to set a playoff career-high with 29 PTS!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBAPlayoffs?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBAPlayoffs</a> presented by Google Pixel on TNT <a href="https://t.co/xEq2fAvjtV">pic.twitter.com/xEq2fAvjtV</a>

Bobby Marks @BobbyMarks42
The Celtics should just guarantee the $26.5M partially guaranteed 2022/23 contract for Al Horford after this game.

Horford didn't just stuff the stat sheet, he put the Celtics on his back in some of the game's biggest moments right when it appeared as if Giannis Antetokounmpo (34 points and 18 rebounds) was going to will the Bucks to a win with an incredible showing of his own.

The University of Florida product scored 16 points in the fourth quarter alone while mixing in a combination of three-pointers, moves in the lane and even a blow-by dunk over Antetokounmpo.

Kevin O'Connor @KevinOConnorNBA
Jayson Tatum channeling the spirit of Al Horford

Throw in Tatum bouncing back from an ugly 4-of-19 shooting performance in Game 3 with 30 points, 13 rebounds, five assists and a number of clutch plays while scoring 10 points in the last five minutes, and the Celtics have the momentum back on their side.

✨ Watch more top videos, highlights, and B/R original content

They will look to keep it when the series returns to Boston for Wednesday's Game 5.