Al Horford has been cleared, the Warriors' injury report showed Thursday at 4:21 p.m. ET, lifting the day-to-day tag he had carried since Wednesday. The 40-year-old center is available for Golden State's game against the Kings on Saturday.
What happened
Horford was listed day-to-day in the rest/other category on Wednesday, Oct. 7. On Thursday, Oct. 8, at 4:21 p.m. ET, the injury report updated his status to cleared, removing any restriction on his availability. The report lists no further detail and no comment on the move. Horford had carried the day-to-day tag for one day before the change, and no expected return date was needed since he was never ruled out.
What it means for the Warriors
Golden State plays the Kings on Saturday, Oct. 10, at 8:30 p.m. ET, and Horford is available for it. Last season he averaged 8.3 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 21.5 minutes across 45 games as part of the frontcourt mix. In minutes logged without him, Stephen Curry (30.9 minutes, 26.6 points), Draymond Green (27.5 minutes, 8.4 points), Brandin Podziemski (28.5 minutes, 13.8 points), Jonathan Kuminga (23.8 minutes, 12.1 points) and Kristaps Porzingis (23.7 minutes, 16.1 points) have carried the rotation. The Warriors have not played a regular-season game yet this season, so there is no record with or without Horford to cite.
What to watch
The next injury report will confirm final availability for Saturday's game against the Kings. No expected return timeline applies, since Horford has been cleared outright rather than given a target date. The Warriors still list Jimmy Butler III and Moses Moody as out with knee injuries, with several other players tagged day-to-day for rest, so the full report is worth checking again before Saturday and in the games that follow.
Is Al Horford playing vs Kings?
Yes. Horford was cleared on the Thursday, Oct. 8 injury report and carries no listed status restriction for Saturday's game against the Kings.
When will Al Horford be back?
He is already available. The injury report cleared him on Oct. 8 after one day listed as day-to-day, so no further return timeline was needed.