Much has been made of the Warriors core’s age heading into the 2025-26 NBA season, but 39-year-old center Al Horford is not concerned.
The four featured Golden State players, Steph Curry, Jimmy Butler, Draymond Green and Horford, all are age 35 or older. Maintaining health throughout an 82-game regular season is a key concern this season, just as it has been in the recent past.
“The way that I see our group, we have a lot of depth. I see a lot of guys that are working really hard and guys who are very capable in our group,” Horford told reporters Tuesday. “So, I’m not worried about it just because of our depth.”
But key role players such as Jonathan Kuminga, Brandin Podziemski, Moses Moody, Gui Santos and Quinten Post are all under 25.
Both Podziemski and Moody played in at least 64 games last season. Post saw a significant increase in playing time in the second half of last season. Kuminga, despite fluctuations in playing time due to injury and rotation changes, has solidified himself as perhaps the Warriors’ most explosive athlete.
“I feel like we have guys here that can step in and contribute and have big nights,” Horford said. “It’s a very long season, and as you know in the NBA, the teams that usually have more depth are the teams that are going to be more successful.”
The depth in youth, whose experience will only continue to grow, will be key for Golden State’s regular-season success as older players will inevitably need more rest.
“I feel like we don’t have to hold back with any of them. We can just go, and they’re going to get a lot of opportunities and a lot of chances. And for them, they have to be ready for that,” Horford said.
The Warriors’ new stretch-big has been a steady presence in recent years. Horford has played at least 60 games in each of his last four seasons with the Boston Celtics.
“The priority for me is to make sure that I stay healthy throughout the regular season and that’s my focus right now. And when we get to the postseason, that’s a whole other level,” Horford said.
Curry and Green played in 70 and 68 games, respectively, last season. The two stars being available in the regular season helped the Warriors reach the playoffs for the 10th time in the last 13 seasons.
But Curry’s hamstring injury in the Western Conference Semifinals doomed Golden State to a second-round exit at the hands of the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Maintaining tip-top health heading into the postseason is not just a priority for Horford, but for the Warriors’ old guard at large.
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