Al Horford says shutdown during Oklahoma City Thunder season was mutual decision

Oklahoma City Thunder center Al Horford said that his sidelining by the team for the final 28 games was a mutual decision that had always been a possibility since his arrival to the franchise and was accelerated by the injury to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

“We’ve had great communication since the moment I got here, and leading to that point, once Shai’s injury happened, it just kind of brought that question even sooner,” Horford said. “Both of us understanding that the team also wanted to play younger guys and see what they could do with their development, and for me, for myself, health-wise, what’s best for me, putting me in the best position to be able to play at a high level for many years to come.”

At the time Horford was shut down on March 27, the Thunder were 19-25. OKC ended the season 3-25, including a 14-game losing streak and a span in which they were outscored by 490 points over a 25-game stretch, the largest margin in NBA history.