Celtics forward Al Horford is one of 12 finalists for the Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year award. The award is given to the NBA player who best exemplifies leadership, mentorship, selfless play, and dedication to their team.
Count Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla among those pulling for Horford to win.
“It’s a no-brainer that he should get it,” Mazzulla said. “You can’t really put into words what he’s able to do. I mean, the respect that he has of the guys. What people don’t know is how innately competitive he is day in and day out.
“He just sets the tone, more with his actions than anything else. I really hope he gets it. He deserves it. He’s one of the best teammates and we’re lucky to have him.”
The other finalists are: Rockets center Steven Adams, Clippers forward Nicolas Batum, Knicks guard Jalen Brunson, Warriors guard Stephen Curry, Pistons forward Tobias Harris, Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr., Pacers forward James Johnson, Nuggets center DeAndre Jordan, Bucks center Brook Lopez, Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell, and Thunder forward Jaylin Williams.
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The Timberwolves’ Mike Conley won the award last year. The Celtics’ Jrue Holiday is a three-time winner (2020, 2022, 2023).
Suns coach Mike Budenholzer coached Horford for several years in Atlanta, where they helped set the Hawks’ franchise record for wins (60) in a season.
“He’s just a super smart player,” Budenholzer said. “He’s just a high-IQ guy on both ends of the court. Selfless. Does anything to win. You really embrace his spacing, shooting threes, and then being able to attack the closeout from behind the line and passing and doing all the different things you can do with more space.
“He has kind of mastered that, I think that’s like an old story now, but I think he always likes to go in the post and shoot a little righty hook and do some work down there. He’s just a unique talent and a unique individual who is continuing to impact the game.”
Kristaps Porzingis swung his shoulders and waved two towels in the air as he headed back to the locker room with a bloody nose after he was elbowed in the face by Cody Martin in the fourth quarter.
Mazzulla said he was grateful for Porzingis’ physicality on both ends of the floor. He scored 15 points on 5-for-12 shooting and was a key part of the Celtics’ rim protection on defense.
“He was the spearhead of attacking their switching and getting deep post catches and getting to the free-throw line and fighting for space,” Mazzulla said. “So, I think he’s really embraced that on both ends of the floor and tonight he showed that on offense and also what he did defensively, meeting guys at the rim. It’s important that we do that.”
The Maine Celtics will tip off the G-League Eastern Conference Finals against the Osceola Magic Sunday night in Florida in a matchup featuring the two most recent G-League MVPs.
Maine guard JD Davison won the honor on Wednesday. Osceola guard Mac McClung, the reigning NBA Slam Dunk Contest champion, was G-League MVP last year.
Mazzulla said he’s looking forward to seeing Boston’s two-way players continue to grow during this playoff run.
“Just continue to play Celtic basketball and do what [coach] Tyler [Lashbook] wants,” Mazzulla said. “Making sure you stick to the process of winning on both ends of the floor. Put yourself in position to win. There’s been great carryover regardless of if guys are there or here. Just not missing a beat on the things that we need to get better at. Those things are consistent in both places and they just have to stick to that.”
The Celtics hosted their second-annual Autism Acceptance night. Mazzulla supported the cause by wearing customized sneakers featuring the rainbow infinity symbol, which represents the neurodiversity paradigm.
The symbol also appears in the logo for the To The Max foundation, a nonprofit founded by former Celtics assistant Scott Morrison in 2022.
Morrison’s son, Max, who was diagnosed with autism, is Mazzulla’s godson.
“I’m grateful that I get to do it,” Mazzulla said. “It’s for an important cause. There’s two close people in my life whose children have autism. Just the impact that it has on children and families. To be able to represent [Max] however I can is a great opportunity.”
