With star forward Jayson Tatum laid up in recovery from surgery on his ruptured Achilles tendon, an injury suffered in Monday's Game 4 loss, the Celtics were hopeful that someone would step up in his absence. The 32 points through three quarters from guard Derrick White, for example, were a welcome addition and well above his typical performance, but not an entirely shocking development.
But then there's backup big man Luke Kornet, whose modest numbers (6.0 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.0 blocks) belie his ability to soak up minutes in the middle respectably. What the Celtics have gotten from Kornet in a do-or-die Game 5 situation, though, has been jaw-dropping.
Kornet somehow morphed into the second coming of Bill Russell in Tatum's stead, posting eight points, eight rebounds and, most notably, six blocked shots in just his first 19 minutes played, through three quarters.
Mar 23, 2025; Portland, Oregon, USA; Boston Celtics center Luke Kornet (40) reacts during the second half against to being called for a foule during the second half against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images
Boston Celtics center Luke Kornet (40)
Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images
Fans of the Celtics--heck, fans everywhere, seeing as Kornet has played for five teams (originally with the Knicks, in fact)--were stunned byt his performance.
The Celtics posted a "LUKE SEQUENCE" on X in which Kornet blocked a shot, dove into the front row to save the rebound and got free on the other end to finish that possession with a dunk.
Celtics beat writer John Karalis wrote on Twitter/X: "Luke Kornet might be saving the Celtics season right now."
"This is amazing from Luke," one fan wrote.
It was not just the fans online, however.
As one fan site pointed out, "Luke Kornet gets a block and a dunk and this Celtics bench is going nuts 'LUUUKE' chants breaking out."
Kornet got more than 20 minutes in a playoff game for just the third time in his NBA career on Wednesday, and the first time he did so in a non garbage-time blowout. He was even the third-quarter interview on the TNT broadcast.
"I'm just trying to be aggressive," Kornet told Allie LaForce. "Obivously, backs against the wall, so it's just, make every effort, make every play."
Kornet was a plus-19 in the game, in just 21 minutes at the midway point of the fourth quarter.