SAN FRANCISCO — Al Horford’s game fits like a basketball puzzle piece that the Golden State Warriors have been looking for — and finally found — after years of searching.

Steve Kerr has been raving about Horford’s fit since the moment it finally became official earlier this week, and it’s easy to see why, after watching Horford’s debut in Sunday night’s 111-103 preseason win over the Los Angeles Lakers. The 39-year-old big man quickly showed why the organization is so optimistic he will fill so many gaps for the group, scoring three points, blocking three shots, grabbing four rebounds and getting a steal in 14 minutes.

The performance is one of the reasons Kerr cracked a smile when asked what it was like to finally see Horford play with his team after so many years going against him in other places.

“Fun,” Kerr said. “Just to see the size and the shooting ability, passing ability, just the flow of the game. What an addition he is. We can play him with anybody. We played him with Quinten Post in the last four minutes left of the second quarter. We went on a huge run. So he fits any lineup, makes any lineup better, we’re lucky to have him.”

Horford is the kind of stabilizing veteran presence that would fit with any team, but his ability to make this particular group of Warriors better is already apparent. They are happy that the chemistry that is already clear will grow even deeper over time.

Big Al with the big 3 💪

📺 @NBCSAuthentic pic.twitter.com/hSZZ5myGSf

— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) October 6, 2025

“Obviously high IQ, experience, championship caliber player,” Warriors star guard Stephen Curry said. “That can really fit with any lineup out there. He gives us space, he gives us presence on the defensive end. You saw the pass he made to me out the corner on the give and go, so it’s just kind of unspoken chemistry that will continue to get better. But he is kind of multi-dimensional as a five man. And excited to see what that looks like for me, for Jimmy (Butler), JK (Jonathan Kuminga), Draymond (Green), any lineup you can throw him out there at the five and he kind of lifts the group.”

Horford had already left the locker room by the time reporters entered on Sunday night, but his impact and demeanor is something that has been felt by his teammates during his brief stint in the Bay. What left Kerr so optimistic about the future isn’t just that Horford’s talent, even at an advanced NBA age, is still readily apparent. It’s what Curry articulated — any lineup Horford goes into will make the group that much better.

Kerr praised Horford’s defensive IQ, while noting that there would be plenty of times throughout the year that he would play with Butler and Green on the floor. Kerr let Horford close the first half with Post, giving the Warriors a different wrinkle to use when needed with two big men who can shoot. Horford has seen it all in basketball, and the Warriors know that intuitive knowledge will rub off on the group.

“He’s just always in the right spot,” Kerr said. ” … As a guy who has been around for a long time and seen everything, the game comes very naturally to him.”

Kerr said before the game that he spoke to Horford a few days ago, and that the veteran relayed the minutes plan that worked for him during his time with the Boston Celtics. That included not playing in both sets of a back-to-back and taking some other games off, depending on how his body was feeling or what the schedule looked like. Kerr said the Warriors would stick to that plan and continue to do whatever they could to keep Horford healthy when it mattered the most.

“We have to preserve all of our older guys some,” Kerr said before the game. “As best we can, have them ready for the playoffs. So that’s the idea. There’s no question he’s still got it, he’s still an incredible player and great fit for us. It’s really fun to see him with our group.”

(Photo: David Gonzales / Imagn Images)