The Boston Celtics lost a heartbreaker in double overtime against the New York Knicks at home on Sunday night, in a spirited back-and-forth affair that ended with the Knicks winning their ninth straight game, 131-129. Celtics power forward Al Horford missed a crucial shot in the dying seconds of the second extra frame, front-rimming a 3-pointer from the right corner just before the final buzzer.
Horford spoke about his decision to take the shot after the contest.
“I just think I rushed it a little bit,” Horford told reporters when asked about the shot, according to NBC Sports Boston. “I probably had a little more time than I thought. It was in that position, a hard close-out. I felt like I didn't stay in my shot long enough. It was a really good play by Jayson, and if I had to do it over again, I'm shooting it the same way. Just probably trying to stay into my shot a little more.”
"I probably had a little more time than I thought."
Al Horford talks taking final shot in double OT in loss to Knicks pic.twitter.com/BQsWoFPJAX
— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) March 6, 2023
Horford finished the game with 20 points, 14 rebounds and six assists over 45 minutes on court, adding a steal and two blocks in the loss.
“I was not tired, I just think I rushed it,” the 36-year-old said when asked if fatigue played a factor in the situation.
The Dominican Republic native nailed a 3-pointer from the right corner with 29.2 seconds left to give Boston the lead in the first OT, but the Knicks tied it and Tatum missed a baseline drive in the dying seconds, sending the game to a second overtime.
Boston owned the NBA's best record for much of the season, but have dropped three of four and now sit a game and a half back of the Milwaukee Bucks for the Eastern Conference's top spot.
Al Horford and the Celtics lost 115-105 to the Brooklyn Nets on Friday night, and they won't have much time to think about the loss as they head to Cleveland for a date with the Cavaliers on Monday night.
“We've just got to find a way to get our swagger back,” guard Derrick White said afterwards. “I'm sure we'll get it back here soon.”
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