Image Credit: David Gonzales-Imagn Images

Stephen Curry Heaps Praise on ‘Championship Caliber Player’ Al Horford After Preseason Win Over LA Lakers

Horford dropped three points, four rebounds, and three assists in preseason opener for Dubs.

Image Credit: David Gonzales-Imagn Images

Golden State Warriors icon Stephen Curry had words of praise for veteran big man Al Horford after the NBA preseason opener win over the Los Angeles Lakers. The Dubs, led by Moses Moody’s 19 points, handed a 111-103 loss to the Lakers. Curry, who dropped 14 points, while grabbing one rebound, and recording two assists, lauded the franchise’s newest acquisition. Horford recently committed to join the Dubs in a multi-year deal, after spending seven seasons with the Boston Celtics.

In the preseason opener, he posted three points, four rebounds, and three assists, but despite that the four-time NBA champion didn’t hold himself back from praising him. Curry called his newest teammate a championship caliber player and added that his wisdom from such a vast experience elevates him beyond regular late-career acquisitions.

“Obviously, a high IQ, experienced, championship caliber player that can fit with any lineup out there. He gives us space, he gives us presence on the defensive end. You saw the pass he made to me out of the corner,” said Curry.

“High IQ, experienced championship caliber player that can really fit with any lineup out there.”

Steph Curry on the addition of Al Horford pic.twitter.com/rKLMZahEmz
— 95.7 The Game (@957thegame) October 6, 2025

The star center earned praise from head coach Steve Kerr also. Kerr said, “Fun just to see the size. The shooting ability. The passing ability. The flow of the game. What an addition he is. As I said before, you can play him with anybody. He just fits any lineup and makes it better.”

Al Horford checked in to a huge ovation for his first Warriors preseason game 🔥 pic.twitter.com/Fztfipmy2f
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) October 6, 2025

Stephen Curry Lauds Moses Moody Following Preseason Opener Performance

Apart from Al Horford, Stephen Curry also lavished praise on Moses Moody, who led the side to technically their first win of the season. Moody dropped 19 minutes in 15 minutes as the seven-time champions locked horns with a Lebron James and Luka Doncic-less Lakers.

“This is probably the best summer he’s had, health-wise obviously, but just the idea of he knows what he needs to do to impact the game when he’s on the floor, where his shots are gonna come and all that, so that comes over time, and it’s good to see him out there,” Curry said of Moody.

“You can kind of tell the way he’s carrying himself, he has clarity on what he needs to do,” he added. Notably, ever since he was picked 14th in the 2021 NBA Draft by the Golden State Warriors, the 23-year-old has shown steady growth in his numbers. Entering his fifth year as a pro, Moody has earned the trust of his coach and fellow players by being a reliable shooter.

Heading into the season with an average of 9.8 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.3 assists, Moody continues to evolve as an all-around player. If the Warriors aim for a better finish than last season, they need to take the youngster to even a bigger role.

Al Horford

Stephen Curry

Garima Ranawat

Garima is a sports writer with around two years of experience in Indian sports and a newfound interest in the NBA. Inspired by the leadership of cricketing legend MS Dhoni, she wishes to bring in newer perspectives to the NBA fanatics with her writing.