Al Horford’s Vaccination Status In Question After Being Placed In Health And Safety Protocols

The Boston Celtics received some terrible news prior to their playoff series against the Heat on Tuesday night when it was revealed that Al Horford has been ruled out after being placed in health and safety protocols.

#NEBHInjuryReport update:

Al Horford (Health & Safety Protocols) – OUT
Marcus Smart (right mid-foot sprain) – OUT

— Boston Celtics (@celtics) May 17, 2022

Earlier in the season, Al Horford opted against revealing his vaccination status despite being pressed by local and national media.

“It’s something I haven’t wanted to discuss,” Horford said. “I think with the Celtics, we made it clear we’re not going to discuss those things, and it’s a health matter, and we all respect everybody’s individual perspectives. That’s why I’m not going to get into it and talk about it. But I’m ready to go.”

However, when it was a possibility that the Celtics would be playing the Toronto Raptors in the playoffs, Horford reportedly told the Boston Globe that he is fully vaccinated.

New: Al Horford told the Globe that he is fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and would be cleared to play in a playoff series in Toronto. https://t.co/BRx63ZcAdo

— Adam Himmelsbach (@AdamHimmelsbach) April 8, 2022

When Can Al Horford Return?

At the end of the year, the NBA sent out a memo to players that they can now get out of health and safety protocols six days after testing positive for COVID if they have received the vaccine.

Per ESPN:

“Vaccinated NBA players and coaches who are asymptomatic can now clear quarantine after six days if COVID-19 testing data shows they’re no longer at risk to be infectious, according to a memo distributed to teams Monday and obtained by ESPN.

The NBA and National Basketball Players Association agreed to the changes that will replace a protocol requiring league personnel to wait 10 days to test out of quarantine on a return to competition. The new protocol includes players, coaches, staff and referees.”

Even if Al Horford is vaccinated, he could still be in jeopardy of missing (at least) the first two games of the Heat series, which will undoubtedly be a huge blow to a Celtics team with championship aspirations. However, we can’t assume that he has tested positive for the virus based solely on him being placed in protocols.

We’ll await any more word on this fluid situation.

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