Al Horford dunks Nurkic into the next dimension

Al Horford threw down a monster jam over Jusuf Nurkic. Let’s take a look at the All-Star center’s highlight dunk.

The Boston Celtics have found first-half success this season, despite an opening-night injury to newly acquired forward Gordon Hayward. The team currently sits at the top of the Eastern Conference standings thanks in part to sporting one of the top defensive units in the NBA.

Al Horford has been a major factor in the team’s success. The eleven-year vet has been a defensive anchor at center for the Celtics as well as being a reliable offensive presence leading to a solid, if unspectacular –

Oh my goodness! Did you see that?

The All-Star center is known more as a reliable, steady, solid presence for Boston, but earlier today threw down this sick jam over Portland’s Jusuf Nurkic. Horford goes coast-to-coast, sheds the defense of Al-Farouq Aminu, and doesn’t slow down as Nurkic attempts to stop him from attacking the rim.

The results are straight up disrespectful. Horford finishes so strong in Nurkic’s face the dunk sends him cascading to the floor, while Nurkic must duck and cover in post-dunked-upon shame.

It serves as a reminder that Horford can certainly turn it on when he has to as well as a “take-that” to those that may doubt that he deserves his 2018 All-Star selection. He’s provided leadership for a young team on the rise having to deal with new talent meshing together, injuries, and inexperience.

Next: Kyrie Irving and Al Horford already look like they’ve been teammates for years

Horford is averaging 13.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 5.3 assists-per-game this year while anchoring Boston’s stifling defense.

Following today’s contest with Portland, the Celtics will head to Toronto to take on the Raptors in a battle of Eastern Conference leaders this Tuesday. They’ll finish up the week with back-to-back games against Washington on the road Thursday night, and at home against the Pacers on Friday.