Here's how Al Horford made history in long-awaited Finals debut originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
Fifteen seasons and 141 playoff games were worth the wait for Boston Celtics forward Al Horford.
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WATCH HEREIn his NBA Finals debut on Thursday, Horford didn't just lead his team in scoring in a 120-108 win over the Golden State Warriors, he made some history in the process.
Horford scored 26 points for Boston, connecting on 9 of 12 shots from the field — including 6 of 8 from 3-point range. Horford's six made 3s were the most ever for a player in his Finals debut, as well as a career-high for Horford himself between the regular or postseasons -- a total of 1,092 games.
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Not bad for someone a night before turning 36 years old.
Horford had 11 of his 26 points in the fourth quarter, a frame in which the Celtics outscored the Warriors, 40-16, to steal homecourt advantage in stunning fashion. He had the 3-point basket which put Boston ahead for good, 106-103, on a feed from Payton Pritchard with 5:10 remaining.
Horford also had six rebounds, three assists and a steal in his Finals debut, logging 33 minutes on the floor for the Celtics.
