How Al Horford became Warriors' unlikely hero in Play-In Tournament win over Clippers

How Al Horford became Warriors' unlikely hero in Play-In Tournament win over Clippers originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Golden State Warriors' collective age was a concern entering the season and reared its head at times as they stumbled to the No. 10 seed in the West, but that experience seemed to make all the difference in a 126-121 Play-In Tournament win over the Los Angeles Clippers.

After a hurting Stephen Curry kept the Warriors in the game with his hot shooting in the third quarter, Al Horford came to life in the fourth and put Golden State on his back.

Horford had struggled all night long until finding his shooting stroke down the stretch and willing the Warriors to a season-saving victory.

Here's a look at Horford's hot stretch that eliminated the Clippers.

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Al Horford stats vs. Clippers

Horford was -21 early in the fourth quarter despite the Warriors trailing by only three at the time. He quickly turned it around. Here are his final numbers from the win:

• MIN: 22
• PTS: 14
• REB: 3
• AST: 0
• STL: 0
• BLK: 0
• FG: 5-8
• 3PT: 4-7
• TOV: 2

The Warriors trailed by nine with under six minutes remaining, but it was at that point that their luck started to turn. Horford drilled a 3-pointer to cut a seven-point deficit to four, came back less than a minute later to turn a six-point deficit to three and then answered a bucket from Bennedict Mathurin with another 3-pointer on the very next possession.

With 2:12 remaining, Horford's fourth 3-pointer gave Golden State a 117-115 lead.

The 39-year-old, the oldest player on a generally old team, made four 3-pointers in a span of less than four minutes despite not his last game with four 3-pointers being all the way back on March 2.

The Warriors have a great deal of memorable moments in their history, but Horford's hot streak could go down as a beloved one after his ugly start to the night.

MORE:What's next for Clippers after elimination?

Al Horford highlights vs. Clippers

Horford made all four of his threes in the fourth quarter, which sparked the comebck.

And here's the moment Horford gave the Warriors the lead:

This Horford three pulled the Warriors within two: