Al Horford Sits Out Saturday as Warriors Manage the 40-Year-Old's Left Toe

Al Horford is sitting out Saturday for "injury management," which is the NBA's polite way of saying a 40-year-old man needs a night off before his joints turn to dust.

Underdog NBA reported the official downgrade, confirming the veteran center will miss the weekend slate. If you were banking on Horford to anchor your fantasy matchups or tilt the betting lines, you will have to look elsewhere.

"Underdog NBA tweeted: 'Al Horford (injury management) listed out Saturday.'"

The Golden State Warriors are treating Horford's left toe like a priceless artifact, and honestly, they have to. He is averaging 9.0 points and 6.2 rebounds this season, but his real value is keeping an undersized frontcourt from getting completely bullied on the glass.

Sitting out back-to-backs is just the reality of employing a center who was drafted during the Bush administration. He already missed 11 games earlier this year with a calf strain, so pacing him is the only way he survives until the playoffs.

The splits paint a pretty clear picture of his impact. Golden State is 22-18 straight up and 21-19 against the spread when Horford plays, compared to a very mediocre 10-12 when he sits. That is the kind of math that makes you realize how much a team relies on a guy who is technically old enough to run for president.

Horford is expected to suit up for the next matchup to bang down low with heavier centers like Ivica Zubac. Until then, Golden State will have to survive Saturday without their veteran anchor, and bettors will have to adjust their tickets accordingly.