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Al Horford of the Golden State Warriors looks at the LA Clippers bench at Chase Center on March 02, 2026 in San Francisco, California.
The Golden State Warriors may be inching closer to getting a key veteran back as Al Horford continues progressing in his recovery from a calf strain.
According to Anthony Slater of ESPN, Horford remains limited to individual work but is optimistic about returning before the play-in tournament — and potentially logging a few regular-season games beforehand.
With seven games remaining, the timeline offers a narrow but important window for Horford to ramp up.
Horford Progressing But Still Limited
Horford has missed the last nine games due to a calf injury, during which the Warriors have gone 4–5.
The team last provided an update following a March 27 re-evaluation, noting that the 39-year-old center was “making good progress” and had begun light on-court workouts.
“He continues his daily off-court rehabilitation routine and has started light on-court workouts in recent days,” the team said in a statement.
Another re-evaluation is expected soon, which could determine whether Horford is cleared for full team activities.
Veteran Presence Remains Valuable
In his first season with Golden State, Horford has played a steady role in the rotation.
Across 43 games (12 starts), he is averaging 8.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.2 blocks in 21.7 minutes per game while providing spacing and interior defense.
His efficiency has also stood out, shooting 53.5% from two-point range and 36.0% from beyond the arc.
Beyond the numbers, Horford’s experience has been a stabilizing factor for a team navigating injuries and lineup adjustments throughout the season.
Stephen Curry’s Potential Return Adds Optimism
GettyStephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors took a major step in his recovery from a lingering knee injury.
Horford also pointed to the looming return of Stephen Curry as a major boost for the Warriors’ playoff outlook.
“The fact that he’s able to come back, that’s tremendous,” Horford said, via Joseph Dycus of the Mercury News. “In a position that we’re in — fighting for our lives — it’s huge for our group.”
Curry recently took a significant step forward by participating in a five-on-five scrimmage, his first full-contact action since dealing with a lingering knee issue.
Head coach Steve Kerr said the team will evaluate how Curry responds before determining next steps.
“Gotta see how he responds to the scrimmage and we’ll take it from there,” Kerr said.
Warriors Fighting for Play-In Position
Golden State enters the final stretch of the season at 36–39, currently sitting in the No. 10 spot in the Western Conference.
The team has struggled without Curry, losing 16 of its last 25 games, and will likely need to win two play-in games to secure a playoff berth.
That makes the potential return of both Curry and Horford critical.
The Warriors are hoping to get Curry back in time to build rhythm ahead of the play-in tournament — and Horford’s timeline appears to align with that same goal.
Warriors Playoff Outlook Hinges on Health
With limited games remaining, every update carries added weight.
Horford’s ability to return — even in a reduced role — could provide depth, defense and veteran leadership at a crucial point in the season.
For now, the signs are encouraging.
But until he is cleared for full participation, the Warriors remain in wait-and-see mode as they push toward the postseason.
Alder Almo is a veteran NBA reporter for Heavy.com, covering the New York Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors. He brings over 20 years of experience across local and international media, including broadcast, print and digital. He previously covered the Knicks for Empire Sports Media and the NBA for Off the Glass. Originally from the Philippines, he is now based in Jersey City, New Jersey. More about Alder Almo
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