Luke Kornet’s breakout game highlights why he’s ‘ultimate teammate’
There have been games throughout Luke Kornet’s NBA career in which the center suited up but knew he probably wasn’t going to play that night. That has included during his time with the Celtics. Over the last three years, his on-court contributions have typically been minimal.
Kornet has fully embraced his role, self-aware and humble enough to know his place on a championship contender. He’s the unofficial team jokester, always keeping things light in the locker room. He’s the most animated supporter on the bench who catches frequent attention with his funny celebrations. But he’s also always staying ready for when his number is called. That came on Friday night, when he was asked to make a rare spot start on a night the Celtics were shorthanded in the frontcourt. Kornet likely won’t be a difference-maker when the C’s make their championship push this spring, but there’s real value in what he brings to the table and the culture that Joe Mazzulla has created.
“Luke is the ultimate teammate,” Jaylen Brown said. “Just a great locker room guy, gets along with everybody. He’s funny, so he kind of just uplifts everybody, even in moments where we don’t want to laugh. And then on the court, he’s just old reliable, is always in the right spot, does his job, screens, rolls, plays hard, gets those offensive rebounds, and steps up in games like today.”
Kornet missed four games earlier this month because of an adductor injury, but when he was cleared to return on Christmas Day against the Lakers, Neemias Queta — who has filled in well off the bench — got minutes over him. But his backup job wasn’t lost. It was only two games, and Mazzulla made a point to say Kornet would play.
A night later, with Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford out, Kornet earned his first start since 2021 in Friday’s win over the Raptors. It was his first game since Dec. 12, and he was feeling it. He was hustling all over the place in the opening minutes. He recorded a block on the first play. He converted a three-point play moments later. He was winded.
“After the first six minutes, I was pretty exhausted,” Kornet admitted.
Kornet finished with 20 points — his highest scoring game since 2019 — on 9-for-11 shooting as his teammates continued to find him for easy looks, in addition to eight rebounds and three blocks. He was on the court in crunch time as the Celtics found a way to win because Mazzulla trusted him defensively.
While Kornet doesn’t do the things Porzingis and Horford do, it didn’t matter to Mazzulla, who preaches that the Celtics’ success will look different every night. He has full faith in his locker room, where Kornet has continued to show his value.
“I said before the game to the locker room, ‘This is another opportunity.’ I don’t care who we’re playing against, or what the starting lineup is, or what the bench is,” Mazzulla. “I’ve got complete trust and confidence in the character of our locker room because of who they are. And I think we can win any game, no matter what. So Luke’s another one of those guys. He’s a professional, shows up to work every day, plays his role, and it was awesome to watch him play at the level that he did.”
Kornet took some time to reflect after Friday’s victory. He admitted he went through some struggles as a young part-time player fighting for minutes but his perspective changed as he grew older, had a family and realized the best things in his life were what he did for others instead of for himself. It carried through his time with the Maine Celtics years ago.
“I really made it a focus of just like we’re here as a team, we’re all just gonna try to figure it out and make each other better,” Kornet said. “I feel like that’s made … you’re able to share your joy a whole lot more and you’re also able to kind of dissipate your struggles, I think, when you’re connected with everybody else. So yeah, I do feel like it’s the most fulfilling way to go about it. …
“I feel like when you’re concerned about yourself and you’re in that situation (of not playing much), one, you start feeling a little bit powerless and stuff like that, which isn’t great,” Kornet added. “But then also you’re not really uplifting or benefiting anybody. And especially on an NBA roster and those 18 spots, there’s going to be a lot of guys who aren’t playing on any given night and you kind of have the choice to be able to, yeah, sort of like offer your work to the good of the group or just kind of close in on yourself. To me, it seems like the better solution is pretty clear in that.”
It’s unclear what Kornet’s role will look in the Celtics’ next game, and the game after that, but he knows that and embraces it. That perspective has helped make him a perfect fit in their locker room. On Friday, he was deservedly rewarded for that selflessness.
“You just kind of appreciate it for what it is,” Kornet said. “And I mean, I’m not exactly sure of everybody’s status, but I’m sure come San Antonio, if KP and Al are back playing and (Jayson Tatum) then it’s like, all right, whatever. Like let’s hope we go out and we win and I’m fulfilling my role for that day. And I think there’s a lot of peace in just doing what you’re told in a weird kind of a way and like knowing what your job is and trying to do that thing well and not worrying about things that you really can’t control.”
Injury report
Jrue Holiday, who is dealing with a right elbow sprain, is questionable for Sunday night’s game at San Antonio. He was the only player listed on the Celtics injury report, meaning Jayson Tatum and Kristaps Porzingis are both set to return.