Al Horford wins NBA title with Celtics in 186th playoff game - ESPN

BOSTON — After playing in more playoff games than any other player in league history before winning his first NBA championship, Al Horford flashbacked eight years ago to his first free agency meeting with the Boston Celtics as he stood on stage in the middle of TD Garden and confetti fluttered through the air.

«Man, I'll never forget what Danny Ainge told me in that meeting,» Horford, 38, said of the Celtics' former president of basketball operations. «He said, 'You can win championships in many places, but there's nothing like winning in Boston. Nothing like winning as a Celtic.'»

When Celtics coach Joe Mazzula — who is three years younger than the 17-year veteran — subbed Horford out of Game 5 with 2:02 remaining in the fourth quarter and Boston well on its way to a 106-88 victory over the Dallas Mavericks, the crowd let the forward hear it with a booming ovation.

«Nobody deserved it more than Al,» said Jaylen Brown, the Finals MVP. «He's been a great not just leader on the court but off the court as well.… It's been an honor to be by his side. And Al Horford is a real-life legend and hero. It's been great to be his teammate.»

In his 186th career postseason game with three different teams in the Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers and Boston, Horford posted 9 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals — one of which came by diving to the floor to corral the ball and pitch it ahead to Brown for an easy score to put the Celtics up 54-39 late in the second quarter.

Gary Payton previously held the mark, playing 152 postseason games before winning it all with the Miami Heat. Karl Malone holds the record for most postseason games without a title (193).

Horford's decision to sign with Boston in 2016 coincided with the drafting