Golden State head coach Steve Kerr made it clear he has no concerns about Al Horford’s early struggles following Wednesday night’s 121-116 loss to the Sacramento Kings.
Speaking to reporters after the game, Kerr praised the 39-year-old veteran’s overall play despite an 0-for-8 shooting performance.
“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 said, per 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.”
The Warriors have leaned on Horford’s experience through the opening weeks of the season, even as his production has dipped. In six appearances, 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 beyond the arc.
Golden State’s offense, meanwhile, has been inconsistent without Stephen Curry and Draymond Green. On Wednesday, Will Richard and Moses Moody combined for 58 points, while Jonathan Kuminga added 24. Still, turnovers — 19 in total — proved costly as Sacramento capitalized in the fourth quarter behind Russell Westbrook’s triple-double and Dennis Schroder’s key three-pointers.
Horford, who joined the Warriors during the offseason after seven seasons in Boston, has been used primarily off the bench. His minutes have hovered around 22 per game, and Kerr has emphasized patience as the veteran adjusts to Golden State’s system.
The Warriors remain confident that Horford’s shooting numbers will improve once he grows more comfortable within the rotation. His defensive communication and rebounding have already drawn positive feedback from teammates, even in limited offensive outings.
Golden State fell to 5-4 with the defeat and will travel to Denver to face the Nuggets on Friday. Sacramento improved to 3-5, led by DeMar DeRozan’s 25 points and Westbrook’s 204th career triple-double.
For now, Kerr’s message is clear — the Warriors aren’t overreacting to Horford’s slump. The trust in his resume and leadership remains firm as Golden State continues to integrate its veteran core with its emerging young players.
