This could have been The Luke Kornet Sport.
After discovering out shortly earlier than gametime that he’d be beginning in opposition to the surging Rockets, Kornet performed a season-high 33 minutes and had all the things going. The gentle palms across the rim. Rock stable protection. And thunderous dunks, together with this poster on Amen Thompson:
In arguably his most spectacular begin of the season, Kornet completed with eighteen factors (8-for-9 from the sector) with seven rebounds and helped maintain Alperin Segun to simply 4-of-10 from the sector.
However alas, it wasn’t a spotless displaying for Kornet within the Celtics’ 114-112 loss to the Rockets. Two defensive lapses within the clutch — shedding Alperin Segun on a again reduce and botching a change with Jaylen Brown on the ultimate play — tainted his in any other case almost excellent recreation. In his post-game availability, the often jovial Kornet had a extra sullen demeanor and stated, “it kinda performed out in an unlucky method.”
To Kornet’s credit score, he’s been the epitome of the Keep Prepared group this complete season. With Payton Pritchard ascending to sixth man standing and Sam Hauser getting common minutes off the bench, it’s been Kornet that has fluctuated between not taking part in in any respect and beginning six video games to this point within the common season.
On Monday night time, he didn’t discover out he was beginning till proper earlier than tipoff when Al Horford didn’t really feel comfy to play after warmups. Dropping Horford in opposition to an athletic and bodily crew just like the Rockets may have meant curtains for positive — particularly with out Derrick White and Hauser as effectively — however Kornet dealt with himself greater than admirably.
“I believe that’s clearly one thing they do an awesome job of, simply rebounding and defensive strain and stuff,” Kornet stated after limiting the league-leading offensive rebounding crew to simply twelve for the sport. “I really feel like that’s sort of a power of their crew and the way they play, however I believe for essentially the most half, we matched their physicality effectively. Clearly, it was sort of a bizarre recreation when it comes to them taking plenty of threes…however I assumed our hearth was good. I assumed our intention was good. A few performs simply got here up brief.”
Over the summer season, Kornet signed a one-year veteran minimal contract, the very first deal reported in free company by then ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. The greater than serviceable heart may have presumably made extra elsewhere however in the end determined to stay round for the title protection. He stuffed in when Porzingis was rehabbing from surgical procedure and by no means whined when Neemias Queta seemingly leapfrogged him within the rotation.
Now, this is not precisely one thing that must be talked about pre-All-Star Weekend and even pre-trade deadline. It will probably wait till the summer season after we understand how the season shook out and extra importantly, who’s coming again for subsequent yr. However when that will get settled and hopefully, it is confetti and never mud, we have to have a severe dialog about Kornet and his future with the Celtics.
It isn’t nearly a giant recreation right here and there. He is been a constant contributor for his whole time in Boston and when given an even bigger alternative, he is shined. The 29-year-old could possibly be searching for a brand new crew in July, however in my view, he is already discovered a house in Boston.
