The Boston Celtics faced the New York Knicks in Game 6 of the 2024–25 NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals with their season on the line. Holding a narrow 3-2 series lead, Boston had a chance to punch its ticket to the Conference Finals. But in front of a raucous Madison Square Garden crowd—and without star forward Jayson Tatum—the Celtics were overmatched from the jump and ultimately sent home in a humbling fashion.
Veteran big man Al Horford, a cornerstone of Boston’s leadership core, found himself at the center of postgame speculation. Following the 119–81 blowout loss that officially ended the Celtics’ title defense, the 38-year-old chose not to address his future in the immediate aftermath. His silence left fans and reporters wondering if this was his final game in green and white.
“It’s too soon,” Horford told reporters. “I’m going to take some time here with my wife and kids, and there’s still a lot for me to process.” His response was brief, but understandable. Horford has long been respected for his veteran presence, grit, and ability to anchor a defense, yet the sting of defeat—especially in such a decisive loss—was clearly still fresh.
Despite his age, Horford remained a steady contributor throughout the season. He averaged 9.0 points, 6.2 rebounds, and nearly two made three-pointers per game, hitting 36.3% from beyond the arc. His ability to stretch the floor and provide veteran stability continued to be a valuable asset to Joe Mazzulla’s rotation.
Jaylen Brown, who stepped up in the absence of Tatum, led the Celtics with 20 points but fouled out late in the third quarter after playing 32 minutes. Postgame, Brown didn’t shy away from calling the result what it was: a disappointment. The All-Star guard took ownership of the team’s performance while also offering a message of resilience.
“We’ll take time, sit back, and kind of figure it out,” Brown said, per ClutchPoints’ Daniel Donabedian. “Things didn’t go our way this year, and it’s unfortunate. But we hold our heads high regardless. Losing to the Knicks feels like death, but I was always taught there is life after death—so we’ll be ready for whatever’s next.”
The Celtics now enter an offseason full of questions. Tatum’s Achilles injury, Horford’s future, and the team’s overall direction will dominate the conversation. After a dominant NBA regular season and a promising start to the playoffs, Boston’s campaign ended in disappointment—and the road ahead remains uncertain.