A tragic reason behind why Al Horford nearly missed Game 6 vs the Heat / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: USA TODAY Sports - Scanpix Credit USA TODAY Sports - Scanpix

The Boston Celtics center Al Horford nearly missed the Game 6 of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals against the Miami Heat.

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According to Enrique Rojas from ESPN, Horford's grandfather passed away on Thursday, the day before the game.

"Daddy left in peace," Horford's mother told ESPN. "You don't want to see your loved ones leave, but when it happens, hopefully, it will be like my father died, in peace, without pain and surrounded by his loved ones," Reynoso added.

Horford decided to play in Game 6 regardless of the loss of a close family member. He was very close to his grandfather.

According to ESPN, during the past week and after Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals, the Celtics granted special permission to Horford so that, instead of traveling with the squad to Miami, he could go to Atlanta and spend some time with his grandfather. He was there for approximately four hours.

Game 7 of the series is scheduled to be played tonight in Miami.

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