Al Horford played like a man possessed on Monday night in the Boston Celtics's 116-108 win over the Milwaukee Bucks. While he obviously wants to win through the competitive nature in all professional athletes, he has some extra motivation to advance further into the postseason compared to the rest of his teammates.
Horford can guarantee himself $5 million in additional contract money if the Celtics make the NBA Finals and a whopping $12 million if they're able to win it all.
Horford's final year on his contract is only partially guaranteed for $14.5 million. The conditions to get the full value of his final year ($26.5 million) come down to either making the NBA Finals or winning a ring which bumps the total he makes next year to $19.5 million and $26.5 million respectively.
It apparently wasn't just Giannis Antetokounmpo's smug expression and stare down that was motivating the Celtics big man.
Al Horford certainly earned every dollar he's being paid this season in Game 4 against the Bucks. In a game that was a virtual must-win to avoid facing a 1-3 hole, the 5-time All-Star delivered with a new playoff career high and 16 points to lead a fourth quarter comeback.
If he can put up more performances like that en route to yet another banner being raised in Boston, Celtics fans might be willing to pay him that guaranteed money out of their own pockets.
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