Celtics Embracing Sacrifice in Championship Pursuit: 'Have to Buy into That'

Al Horford's impact off the bench in the Celtics' win vs. the Knicks is a prime example of Boston's willingness to prioritize what's best for the collective.

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In Jrue Holiday, Derrick White, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Al Horford, and Kristaps Porzingis, the Boston Celtics have the best top six in the NBA.

That also means someone will have to accept coming off the bench and staying there during crunch time.

As Joe Mazzulla has stressed, it will vary. So, when a matchup calls for starting Horford and Porzingis, they'll be out there for tip-off. And while the closing lineup primarily projects as Holiday, White, Brown, Tatum, and Porzingis, if context calls for a switch, the second-year bench boss won't hesitate.

His players are on board.

When asked about coming off the bench, Holiday expressed, "It's not that big of a deal. I like winning. Winning is really important. Playing good on the court is important. Supporting my teammates is important. So, it's not always how you start, it's how you finish."

And when it comes to exchanging individual production for team success, Porzingis doesn't see an issue.

"Honestly, it's not that much of a sacrifice. If, at the end, if you're winning, (then) what are you sacrificing? Nothing. Your own stats for winning? Like that's, it makes sense. I'd do that trade every day."

A prime example came in Tuesday's 123-110 win over the New York Knicks, with Horford coming off the bench, something he's only done 12 times in his career, including the playoffs. You'd never know it by how well he played upon checking in, quickly making an impact, including earning a Tommy Point.

Al Horford is ELITE 👑

Stream Celtics vs. Knicks: https://t.co/uSr28gFzzp pic.twitter.com/XfXNq8VGFg

— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) October 18, 2023

Horford finished with eight points, three rebounds, three assists, a block, and a steal. He also registered a game-high plus-17 plus-minus rating.

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Boston Celtics center Al Horford (42) talks with forward Jayson Tatum (0) during a time out in the second half against the New York Knicks.

After the victory, Tatum, who led all scorers with 28 points, conveyed the following about a group of highly accomplished individuals needing to sacrifice for them to achieve their shared goal.

"It's been an adjustment period. At some point, everybody's going to have to sacrifice. Essentially, we've probably got six starters. And, you know, you only can play five people; only five guys can finish a game. So, between, I guess, those six guys, (on) any given night, somebody might come off the bench, somebody might not finish, and it's on all of us to understand that whoever's night it is, it's for the better of the team, and we really have to buy into that.

"It's not easy, sacrificing, but, at some point, we all have to do it. Like tonight, Al came off the bench. You know, I have the utmost respect for Al. And if Al can come off the bench at this stage in his career, nobody should have anything to say if you are the guy that has to come off the bench or if Joe takes you out of the game, or if you don't finish, everybody has to have that team first mindset to accomplish what we're trying to do."

Porzingis, who contributed 20 points, eight rebounds, and two blocks, stated, "We've been all putting in our minds that we wanna play for each other, we wanna enjoy each other's success."

Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

New York Knicks guard Evan Fournier (13) has the ball while Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis (8) defends during the second half at TD Garden.

And when asked about his impact in drop coverage, the former All-Star voiced, "Yeah, I don't wanna put too much emphasis on my defense or what I do because we're a team, but, of course, every steal, every block, every, I don't know, tipped pass I can do for this team, I will, and I will go 100 percent. And that's what I, what Joe and the team and coaching staff expect from me. And that's it -- I will try to bring the best version of myself offensively and defensively for this club, and that's it, that's why I'm here."

That's why they're all here -- the pursuit of raising another banner to the TD Garden rafters. It's why Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens reshaped the roster's core, bringing in Holiday and Porzingis at Marcus Smart and Robert Williams' expense.

There's no question this group is talented enough to end this season as champions. But among other factors, including staying healthy, each will have to buy into what they're preaching, even when it's their turn to sacrifice more than the others in the team's best interest.

Further Reading

Here's What Stood Out in Celtics' Win vs. Knicks: Extended Look at Top 6 Yields Mostly Positive Results

The Latest on Celtics' Extension Talks with Derrick White

Joe Mazzulla Indicates Neemias Queta has Earned More Playing Time

Al Horford Shares Where Kristaps Porzingis Has Impressed Him Most

From Envisioning Being a Buck for Life to Joining Top Rival, Jrue Holiday's Ready to Help Celtics Get Where He's Already Been

Under Joe Mazzulla, Celtics Rebuilding Brotherhood Between Past and Present

Determined to Deliver Banner 18, Jayson Tatum's 'Looking Forward to Doing More, And So Should Everybody Else"

Candace Parker on Celtics Trading Marcus Smart, Maximizing Tatum-Brown Tandem, Pat Summitt, and the Sports Matter Initiative

Here's What to Know About Celtics' 2023-24 Schedule

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