Kornet scored six points (3-5 FG) while adding 11 rebounds, three assists and a steal across 22 minutes in Friday's 107-103 preseason win over the Nuggets.
The big man was tied for the team lead in the plus/minus department with plus-12, and he made his presence felt on both ends of the court, particularly as a rebounding threat and a passing option in the post. Al Horford will open the season as the starting center while Kristaps Porzingis (foot) works on his recovery, but don't rule out Kornet emerging as a realistic option for the backup role ahead of other options such as Xavier Tillman and Neemias Queta.
... See More... See Less
Celtics' Luke Kornet: Gets starting nod
Rotowire
Kornet is in the starting five for Friday's preseason opener against the Nuggets.
With Kristaps Porzingis (foot) out, Kornet will get the starting nod in Boston's preseason opener. Until Porzingis can return, Kornet will likely compete with Al Horford for the starting center job.
... See More... See Less
Celtics' Luke Kornet: Cleared for camp
Rotowire
President of basketball operations Brad Stevens said Tuesday that Kornet had offseason wrist surgery, but he's 100 percent heading into training camp, Jared Weiss of The Athletic reports.
This sounds like a minor procedure for Kornet, and Stevens didn't sound concerned in the slightest. Kristaps Porzingis (foot) will miss the beginning of the season, so Kornet is a candidate to see a bump in playing time out of the gate. During 63 regular-season games in 2023-24, Kornet posted averages of 5.3 points and 4.1 rebounds in 15.6 minutes per game.
... See More... See Less
Celtics' Luke Kornet: Returning to Boston
Rotowire
Kornet agreed to a one-year deal with the Celtics on Sunday, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports.
Kornet bounced back during his second full season with the Celtics in 2023-24, averaging 5.3 points and 4.1 rebounds in 15.6 minutes per game over 63 regular-season appearances. The 28-year-old will remain with the Celtics for the 2024-25 campaign and will likely be in store for a similar role as a depth option in the frontcourt, though he might get a little extra run while Kristaps Porzingis recovers from a foot injury.
... See More... See Less
Celtics' Luke Kornet: Good to go
Rotowire
Kornet (wrist) will play in Monday's Game 4 against Indiana, Jay King of The Athletic reports.
Kornet was spotted warming up with tape on his injured left wrist prior to tipoff, and he's been cleared to give it a go. He logged 13 minutes in Game 1 before suffering the wrist injury in Game 2 and should see reserve minutes again Monday night behind Al Horford.
... See More... See Less
Celtics' Luke Kornet: Questionable for Monday
Rotowire
Kornet (wrist) is questionable for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Pacers on Monday, Tim Bontemps of ESPN.com reports.
Kornet suffered a sprained left wrist early in Game 2 against Indiana and carried a doubtful tag prior to Game 3 before being officially held out. The questionable tag is a slight upgrade, but with the Celtics up 3-0, there is no indication they will risk further injury to the 28-year-old before a potential Finals series. If Kornet is unable to go, Oshae Brissett will likely serve as the backup center.
... See More... See Less
Celtics' Luke Kornet: Sitting out Saturday
Rotowire
Kornet (wrist) won't play Saturday in Game 3 of the Celtics' Eastern Conference Finals series versus the Pacers.
Kornet was previously carrying a doubtful designation into Sunday, so his absence from Game 3 comes as little surprise. Oshae Brissett is likely to pick up a handful of reserve minutes as the primary backup to starting center Al Horford while Kornet is in street clothes.
... See More... See Less
Celtics' Luke Kornet: Unlikely to play Saturday
Rotowire
Kornet (wrist) is doubtful for Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Pacers on Saturday, Taylor Snow of the Celtics' official site reports.
Kornet exited Thursday's Game 2 due to a left wrist sprain and will likely be unavailable for at least one matchup. Assuming Kornet is sidelined, Oshae Brissett could see additional run for Boston.
... See More... See Less
Celtics' Luke Kornet: Capped at five minutes with wrist sprain
Rotowire
Kornet didn't return to Thursday's 126-110 win over the Pacers in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals after suffering a sprained left wrist in the first quarter. He finished with two rebounds and one turnover in five minutes.
After Kornet's early exit, Oshae Brissett (12 minutes) ended up serving as the Celtics' primary reserve big man behind frontcourt starters Al Horford and Jayson Tatum. With Kristaps Porzingis (calf) not expected to be ready to play until Game 4, Kornet's status for Saturday's Game 3 gains added import. The Celtics would likely once again lean more heavily on small-ball lineups featuring Horford, Tatum and Brissett as their main frontcourt options if Kornet joins Porzingis in street clothes.
... See More... See Less
Celtics' Luke Kornet: Questionable to return Thursday
Rotowire
Kornet is questionable to return to Thursday's Game 2 against the Pacers due to a left wrist sprain.
The potential absence of Kornet will hurt the team's frontcourt depth, as the Celtics are already missing Kristaps Porzingis (calf). If Kornet can't return, then Xavier Tillman would be in line to absorb minutes as Al Horford's backup.
... See More... See Less
Celtics' Luke Kornet: Officially cleared to play
Rotowire
Kornet (calf) is available for Monday's Game 4 against the Cavaliers.
Kornet was probable for Monday's matchup and will officially be able to suit up once again. Over the first three games of the series, he's averaged 3.0 points and 4.7 rebounds in 13.7 minutes per game.
... See More... See Less
Celtics' Luke Kornet: Nabs probable tag
Rotowire
Kornet (right calf tightness) is listed as probable for Monday's Game 4 against the Cavaliers, Justin Turpin of WEEI.com reports.
Kornet sustained a calf strain in late April but has suited up for each of the last six games for Boston. If he were to end up missing Monday's tilt, Xavier Tillman would likely work behind Al Horford at the five.
... See More... See Less
Celtics' Luke Kornet: Gets five minutes in return
Rotowire
Kornet (calf) tallied two points (2-2 FT) and one rebound across five minutes Saturday in the Celtics' 104-84 win over the Heat in Game 3 of the first-round playoff series.
After Kornet was ruled out of the Celtics' playoff opener April 21, head coach Joe Mazzulla labeled the backup center as week-to-week after he strained his right calf during a practice. Ultimately, Kornet missed just two games on account of the issue, as he took back a small role in the Boston rotation in his return to action Saturday. Kornet is unlikely to see his playing time grow substantially as the Celtics' playoff run continues.
... See More... See Less
Celtics' Luke Kornet: Available to play Saturday
Rotowire
Kornet (calf) is available for Saturday's game against the Heat.
The availability of Kornet means the Celtics will be at full strength for Game 3 of the series against the Heat. Kornet should see minutes off the bench, though he's likely to have a very limited role with both Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford available.
... See More... See Less
Celtics' Luke Kornet: Likely available Saturday
Rotowire
Kornet (calf) is probable for Saturday's Game 3 in Miami.
After starting the final two regular-season games while the usual starters rested, Kornet was sidelined for the first two postseason games while rehabbing a calf injury. Even if he gets the green light, Kornet isn't guaranteed a significant role, especially if Al Horford and Kristaps Porzingis remain healthy.
... See More... See Less
Celtics' Luke Kornet: Gets in work Thursday
Rotowire
Coach Joe Mazzulla said Thursday that Kornet (calf) is feeling good and more will be known about his injury Friday depending on how he responds to work being done on the court, Jay King of The Athletic reports.
Kornet has already missed the first two games of Boston's first-round series against Miami with a calf injury. While Kornet could return to action if the series is drawn out, the Celtics appear to be using Al Horford as their sole bench big.
... See More... See Less
Celtics' Luke Kornet: Set for multi-game absence
Rotowire
Coach Joe Mazzulla said Sunday that Kornet (calf) is "week-to-week" after suffering a calf injury at practice this week, Brian Robb of The Springfield Republican reports.
Kornet's injury opens the door for Xavier Tillman to log third-string center minutes and step into the occasional frontcourt mismatch scenario with his strength. Kornet averaged just 2.1 points and 1.3 rebounds in 4.0 minutes across eight postseason appearances last year, so there isn't precedent for much rotational change in Boston.
... See More... See Less
Celtics' Luke Kornet: Out for series opener Sunday
Rotowire
Kornet is out for Sunday's game against the Heat due to a right calf strain, Taylor Snow of the Celtics' official site reports.
Kornet gives the Celtics size down low, but he wasn't expected to play heavy minutes off the bench as long as Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford are healthy. Kornet averaged 5.3 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.0 blocks across 15.6 minutes per game in 63 regular-season appearances.
... See More... See Less
Celtics' Luke Kornet: Notches three blocks vs. Wizards
Rotowire
Kornet registered 11 points (4-5 FG, 3-3 FT), eight rebounds, five assists and three blocks in 27 minutes during Sunday's 132-122 win over Washington.
Like Friday's game against Charlotte, Kornet was in the starting lineup for Sunday's contest with the Celtics resting all of their starters plus Al Horford (rest). Kornet registered three blocks this season for the eighth time and scored in double digits for a second straight game. Kornet established himself as a key big man off the bench for Boston, and he finishes the regular season averaging 5.3 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.0 blocks over 15.6 minutes per game.
... See More... See Less
Celtics' Luke Kornet: Double-double vs. Charlotte
Rotowire
Kornet logged 16 points (7-10 FG, 2-2 FT), 10 rebounds and three assists across 25 minutes during Friday's 131-98 win over the Hornets.
Kornet got his sixth start of the season Friday with the Celtics resting all of their starters plus Al Horford (toe). Kornet took advantage of the opportunity, as he managed to register his first double-double of the season and the third of his career. He'll likely get the start at center for Boston's regular-season finale against Washington on Sunday.
