NBA Sends Strong Message to Al Horford on Wednesday

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Max Escarpio | Last updated May 7, 2025 10:01 PM ET

The Boston Celtics entered Game 2 of a second round series against the New York Knicks down 0-1.

New York defeated Boston 108-105 in Game 1, leaving the Celtics with their backs against the wall after the Knicks stole home-court advantage.

During Game 2, the NBA shared a historic note on Celtics center Al Horford.

Horford, who has been playing with the Celtics since 2021, passed Julius Erving on the NBA's all-time playoff blocks list in Game 2 against the Knicks.

"Congrats to @Al_Horford of the @celtics for moving into 14th on the all-time playoff BLOCKS list!" posted the official Instagram account of the Boston Celtics.

At this point in his playoff career, when the NBA highlighted Horford's accomplishment, he had posted 240 blocks.

Erving recently held the No. 14 spot with 239 blocks.

Congrats to @Al_Horford of the @celtics for moving into 14th on the all-time playoff BLOCKS list! #NBAPlayoffs presented by Google pic.twitter.com/UWTMvT4nAg
— NBA (@NBA) May 8, 2025

The following players are ranked ahead of Al Horford in the NBA's all-time playoff block list: Tim Duncan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Hakeem Olajuwon, Shaquille O'Neal, David Robinson, Robert Parish, Patrick Ewing, Serge Ibaka, LeBron James, Kevin McHale, Dikembe Mutombo, Ben Wallace and Dwight Howard.

Tim Duncan ranks No. 1 in the NBA's all-time playoff blocks list with 568 blocks in his career with the San Antonio Spurs.

So far this season, Horford has averaged 9.0 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game. Horford started in place of Kristaps Porzingis, who has been dealing with a non-COVID-related illness.

After competing against the New York Knicks in Game 2 at home, the Celtics will travel to NYC to face the Eastern Conference team in Game 3 on Saturday.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: