Can Horford No. 42 jersey be retired from the Celtics? US media strongly support: His spirit and leadership are priceless

On October 1, there are only 22 days left before the start of the NBA regular season in the new season. According to previous reports, the Warriors have signed veteran Al Horford. After Horford left the Celtics, the US media asked: Can his No. 42 jersey be retired by the Celtics?

Horford played for the Celtics twice in his career. From 2016 to 2019, he played for the Celtics for three seasons, twice during which he reached the Eastern Conference Finals, and Horford was once selected for the All-Star lineup. After a brief departure, from 2021 to 2025, Horford once again played for the Celtics for four seasons, helping the Celtics win the 18th NBA championship in team history in 2024. In these seven seasons, Horford averaged 11.2 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.1 blocks per game, shooting 48.4% from the field and 38.8% from three-point shooting percentage.

In response to this, US media Clutchpoints said: Horford's No. 42 jersey is likely to be retired by the Celtics. The Celtics currently hold the record of the league's most retired jerseys, and Horford's resume meets the criteria. During his two-time Celtics, Horford has been the ultimate veteran, and has stood up in key battles many times. He is one of the team's leaders to win the championship in 2024. He is not a role player, but a culture maker. Whether it is the sound in the locker room or the dirty and tiring work done on the court, Horford is the cornerstone of the team. His value to the team is not reflected in the data, but in the fact that he is the team's spiritual strength, his leadership and the championship DNA.

In fact, there is another favorable condition that can make this happen, that is, the relationship between the Celtics and Horford is very good. After joining the Warriors, Horford wrote on social media: "From the moment we arrived, you welcomed me and my family with open arms. This chapter of your career will occupy a special place in my heart. Raising the 18th championship flag with this city will be a time I will always cherish. I will always be grateful to the fans and team organizations. Thank you, Boston."

Do you think the Celtics will retire Horford's No. 42 jersey? Welcome to give your opinions in the comment section.