Al Horford was cleared on the Wednesday night injury report after being listed day-to-day a day earlier. The Warriors host the Heat on Thursday night with their center back in the mix.
What happened
Horford moved from Day-To-Day to Cleared on the injury report posted Wednesday, Nov. 4, at 8:05 PM ET. The report gave no detail and no comment. On Tuesday he was listed day-to-day for rest, after Monday's Out designation for the same reason. Earlier in the season he missed time with a back and torso issue, listed Out on Oct. 24 and cleared from day-to-day on Oct. 25. His latest status carries no injury designation. No return date applies because none is needed, and none was announced.
What it means for the Warriors
Golden State plays the Heat on Thursday, Nov. 5, at 10:00 PM ET on NBA TV. The Warriors are 5-3, seventh in the standings, and have won five straight. Horford, 40, has played six games this season and averages 18.7 minutes, 5.0 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.0 assist. The team is 4-2 with him and 1-1 without him. When he sat, Brandin Podziemski played 33.5 minutes and Yaxel Lendeborg 31.9. Draymond Green logged 26.6 minutes. Georges Niang and Gui Santos each played about 20. Santos is now out with a knee issue, so that rotation spot is open.
What to watch
The next injury report will show whether Horford holds his cleared status before the Heat game. The Warriors still list Jimmy Butler III, Moses Moody, Gui Santos and Kristaps Porzingis as out. Butler and Moody have knee issues, Santos has a knee issue and Porzingis is out with an illness. Watch how coach rotations handle the frontcourt minutes with that group sidelined. Horford's rest designations earlier this week suggest his workload may be managed. After Miami, the schedule is not in hand here.
Is Al Horford playing vs the Heat?
Yes, he is expected to be available. He was cleared on the Wednesday night injury report, and the Warriors face the Heat on Thursday, Nov. 5, at 10:00 PM ET.
When will Al Horford be back?
He is already cleared. He was listed day-to-day on Tuesday and out on Monday for rest. No further return date is announced.