Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown showed appreciation for his former Golden State Warriors teammates, centers Al Horford and Kristaps Porzingis, whom he helped win an NBA championship less than two years ago. Brown’s performance on Thursday night against the Warriors at San Francisco’s Chase Center underlined both his respect and competitive spirit, as he posted a triple-double in a commanding victory.
Stellar Triple-Double Powers Celtics to Victory
Brown, recently named a five-time NBA All-Star, delivered 23 points, 15 rebounds, and 13 assists, marking his third triple-double of the season. His well-rounded play contributed to the Celtics building a lead as large as 34 points, ultimately securing a 121-110 win over Golden State. Despite the strong showing, Brown acknowledged the role of Horford and Porzingis in his championship journey while keeping a playful edge.
Well, those guys helped us win a championship in 2024, so no better way to give respect to them than by giving them the belt tonight,
Brown said with a smirk.
Warriors Attempt Late Comeback Falls Short
While Brown’s efforts propelled Boston ahead, the Warriors mounted a late push in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Celtics 37-19 and narrowing the margin to 11 points. Yet, time constraints prevented a full comeback. Porzingis, playing his first game since January 7 in his Golden State debut, added 12 points and a block off the bench in 17 minutes, contributing valuable minutes but unable to close the gap.
Meanwhile, Al Horford struggled on offense, converting only two of his 10 shots and finishing with five points. Veteran teammate Draymond Green faced a difficult night as well, failing to score in 18 minutes and posting a team-worst minus-28 plus-minus rating.
Postgame Camaraderie Between Former Celtics and Fans
Following the game, Horford and his son, Ean, shared a heartfelt moment by greeting many Celtics players and staff, creating a scene reminiscent of their time with Boston. The warm interaction highlighted the lasting bonds between the former Celtic and the organization despite the competitive matchup.
Very wholesome postgame scene as Al Horford and his son Ean made their way to say hi to almost everyone on the Celtics — almost like they both were former Celtics
— Noa Dalzell 🏀
Looking Ahead: Celtics Prepare for Lakers Rivalry
The Warriors faced additional challenges with the absence of star shooting guard Stephen Curry due to a knee injury, limiting their offensive effectiveness. With this victory finished, Brown and the Celtics now shift focus to an upcoming afternoon showdown against their rivals, the Los Angeles Lakers. The successful reunion in the Bay Area may provide momentum for Boston as they continue their pursuit of championship glory.
Jaylen Brown on playing against Al Horford and Kristaps Porzingis tonight:
“Well those guys helped us win a championship in 2024, so no better way to give respect to them than by giving them the belt tonight.” pic.twitter.com/O084Hq0kIf
— Daniel Donabedian (@danield1214) February 20, 2026
https://twitter.com/NoaDalzell/status/2024719614429790393
