Tag: Luke Kornet

Which player will be the Boston Celtics’ toughest free agency decision?

We’d expect Kornet to command the biggest raise of the three, so it may end up being him.

Which player will be the Boston Celtics’ toughest free agency decision this coming 2024 NBA offseason? With a rapidly ballooning payroll thanks to the supermax contract extension of star Boston forward Jaylen Brown and fellow star wing Jayson Tatum’s supermax extension soon to follow (to say nothing about Jrue Holiday’s extension and a potential pending one for Derrick White), things could get out of Boston’s reach financially.

For Bleacher Report’s Andy Hughes, this means that the Celtics might need to find some cheaper solutions for their backup big men. “Luke Kornet, and … Xavier Tillman Sr., could present Boston with an either/or decision, as it may not be worthwhile to retain a pair of centers on a roster that already has Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford.”

Add in Neemias Queta, “whom the Celtics viewed as valuable enough to convert to a standard contract in April with a $2.2 million team option for 2024-25,” and one of them might have to go as a cap casualty.

If Boston does look to cut some costs next season, this does make sense, given all three have shown promise with different skill sets. We’d expect Kornet to command the biggest raise of the three, so it may end up being him.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=590969556]

Celtics’ Luke Kornet cleared to play in Game 3 vs. Heat

The Boston Celtics will have a full-strength roster for their game against the Miami Heat.

The Boston Celtics will enter their Game 3 matchup against the Miami Heat at full strength. Luke Kornet has been cleared to participate in the game should Joe Mazzulla decide to insert him into the rotation. He has missed the past two games due to a calf injury. Kornet, 28, has been an important part of the Celtics’ rotation this season.

Operating as the third-string big man, Kornet has made 63 appearances for Mazzulla’s roster, averaging 5.3 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game, shooting 70% from the field. He has also been an integral part of Mazzulla’s offensive system due to his ability to set solid screens and slip to the basket while offering short-roll creation.

Kornet’s return will give the Celtics some additional size against the Heat. Miami, on the other hand, will be missing four rotation players, leaving them incredibly short-handed against arguably the best team in the Eastern Conference.

After missing the opening two games, it will be interesting to see if Mazzulla tweaks his playoff rotation to find some minutes for the veteran big man.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=590969556]

Celtics without Luke Kornet for game two vs. Miami

The Boston Celtics will be without Luke Kornet for the second straight game.

The Boston Celtics will be without Luke Kornet for the second straight game as they face off against the Miami Heat in game two of their first-round playoff series. Kornet is dealing with a calf injury. Without the backup big man in the rotation, Joe Mazzulla will likely stick with the same rotation we saw from Boston in game one on Sunday (April 21).

If Miami up the physicality in the second meeting between these two teams, we may see Xavier Tillman earn some minutes off the bench. However, given the dominance we saw from the Celtics’ eight-man rotation in the last game, it’s unlikely Mazzulla will extend his rotation in game two.

As Kornet has missed both of the opening two playoff games, it’s unclear whether he will be part of Mazzulla’s playoff rotation.

Nevertheless, Boston could face the Cleveland Cavaliers in the second round, and given their front court size, Korent could have a role to play. Therefore it makes sense to ensure he’s healthy moving forward.

Luke Kornet ruled out of Celtics playoff opener vs. Miami

The Boston Celtics third-string center will miss the playoff opener against the Miami Heat with a calf strain.

Luke Kornet will not suit up for the Boston Celtics when they begin their playoff run on Sunday (April 21). They will face the Miami Heat in the opening round. The Heat are coming into the game, having played in two play-in tournament contests. The veteran big man is dealing with a right calf strain.

Without Kornet in the rotation, Boston will likely rely on Xavier Tillman to be the team’s third-string big man. Tillman will provide Boston with switchability at the center position while also giving Joe Mazzulla an option to match the Heat’s physicality if the game begins to get chippy.

Kornet has been a big part of Mazzulla’s rotation this season. He’s played in 63 games this season, averaging 5.3 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.1 assists while shooting 70% from the field. Kornet is especially effective when containing ball-handlers while defending pick-and-roll actions.

Mazzulla will likely shorten his rotation heading into the postseason, which means Kornet’s role was likely to be marginalized with Al Horford being the primary bench big. Nevertheless, the Celtics will likely want their trusty backup center back sooner rather than later. Fortunately, Tillman is a capable deputy.

Listen to the “Green With Envy” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3DoLhYK

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3Oj4dhD

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3K8Mbv

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=590969557 tag=648387045]

Xavier Tillman Sr. or Luke Kornet – who should get playing time with the Boston Celtics?

The two Boston bigs have very different games, and will likely see floor time based on matchups.

The two Boston Celtics bigs have very different games, and will likely see floor time based on matchups. But even so, there is a bit of a competition going on for the Celtics’ third string center minutes taking place between reserve center Luke Kornet and backup big man Xavier Tillman, Sr.

On one hand, Kornet started out the season looking lost, but has since rounded into the best form of his career. On the other, Tillman has more meaningful postseason experience, but is playing catchup in terms of learning Boston’s system as a recent addition to the Celtics organization via trade at this year’s deadline.

To talk it over, the hosts of the CLNS Media “How Bout Them Celtics!” and “Talkin’ Cs” podcasts linked up on a recent episode, and debated who they think will see the floor more for the rest of the regular season and beyond.

If you enjoy this pod, check out the “How Bout Them Celtics,” “First to the Floor,” and the many other New England sports podcasts available on the CLNS Media network.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=590969556]

Luke Kornet and the Boston Celtics’ bench are taking over

The Vanderbilt alum has gone from mostly a liability to a problem for opposing bench lineups.

Even at the start of this season, it was not clear that the Boston Celtics had an adequate bench to make a solid run at an NBA title. In seasons past, the Celtics have had to survive their bench minutes, but have since seen their Bus 1 Boys thrive for Boston this season.

And among those bench players perhaps none have grown their game more than backup big man Luke Kornet. The Vanderbilt alum has gone from mostly a liability to a problem for opposing bench lineups — and Kornet can hold his own with the starters as well.

Speaking on a recent episode, the hosts of the CLNS Media “How Bout Them Celtics!” and “Talkin’ Cs” podcasts took some time to talk about the bench and the Green Kornet in particular.

Take a look at the clip embedded above to hear what they had to say! If you enjoy this pod, check out the “How Bout Them Celtics,” “First to the Floor,” and the many other New England sports podcasts available on the CLNS Media network.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=590969556]

Should we believe in Luke Kornet as a backup big man for the Boston Celtics?

Kornet has become more focused and aggressive when on the court, stepping up his game to give the team what it needs.

At the start of the NBA’s 2023-24 season, when backup Boston Celtics big man Luke Kornet took the floor for his team, fans of the ball club would often wince. The Vanderbilt alum looked lost, lethargic, and often made costly mistakes.

But after gaining confidence in his role with the team, Kornet became more focused and aggressive when on the court, stepping up his game to give the team what it needs from him as a third big. Now, the Boston big man is playing at a level good enough to be a second-string center on a team that needs him to be capable of filling in for one of the centers in front of him.

CLNS Media’s Bobby Manning praised Luke Kornet as he, Jimmy Toscano and Josue Pavon broke down his play in recent Celtics games on the “Garden Report” podcast. Check it out below!

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=590969556]

Luke Kornet produced a two-way performance against the Suns

Luke Kornet continues to impress in his bench role for the Boston Celtics.

Luke Kornet continues to impress for the Boston Celtics. The 7-foot-2 big man has spent the season operating as the team’s third-string big man, averaging 14.7 minutes of playing time in 45 regular-season appearances for Joe Mazzulla‘s team. Sometimes, Kornet’s production can go under the radar, his impact is often felt outside of the box score.

However, during the Celtics’ win over the Phoenix Suns on Saturday (March 9) Kornet produced one of his most impactful games of the season. He ended the contest with 14 points, 1 block and six rebounds, three of which came on the offensive glass. He also provided some high-level rim protection courtesy of his well-documented “Kornet contest.”

“The eclipse was built for the Sun,” Kornet told NBC Sports Boston’s Abby Chin. “You know what I’m saying? There’s something there, obviously…I was feeling a certain type of way. I was feeling a lot of energy, and probably a lot of testosterone or something. I was just very revved up. Adrenaline is what I was looking for. Maybe both. I don’t know.”

Kornet has fought for minutes since the Celtics acquired Xavier Tillman before the February 8 trade deadline. As such, performances like the one he produced against the Suns will go a long way to securing him some legitimate playing time in Mazzulla’s playoff rotation.

Kornet is currently in the final year of his two-year, $4.5 million deal. He will become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season.

If he continues to produce at his current level, the Celtics may face some competition for his services ahead of next season.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=590969557 tag=648387045]

Luke Kornet plays games with Boston Celtics fans for charity

No word on whether there were any lemon squares to be had at the event, but Kornet was generous enough with his time that we doubt anyone minded.

It is not all that often you see an NBA superhero like the Green Kornet balancing some Oreo cookies on his forehead, but just such an event was recently held at TD Garden ahead of the Boston Celtics’ current road trip.

Backup Boston big man Luke Kornet sat down for a bit pregame and took part in the celebration of the Celtics’ Curbside Care support for mothers one-year anniversary event. The Vanderbilt alum did so by playing some unusual games, doing raffles for Boston fans, and a host of other activities with the Celtics fans who were in attendance last week.

No word on whether there were any lemon squares to be had at the event, but Kornet was generous enough with his time that we doubt anyone minded there only being Oreos at the event.

To see Kornet’s cookie balancing act for yourself, check out the clip embedded above courtesy of our friends at CLNS Media.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

[lawrence-auto-related count=1 category=590969556]

What are the funniest Luke Kornet moments in Boston Celtics history?

The Green Kornet (better known in his alter ego of backup Boston Celtics big man Luke Kornet) has a reputation for being the funniest member of the Celtics’ roster.

The Green Kornet (better known in his alter ego of backup Boston Celtics big man Luke Kornet) has a reputation for being the funniest member of the Celtics’ roster, with star teammate Jayson Tatum crediting the Vanderbilt alum as the guy keeping things light in Boston’s locker room.

The 7-foot-2 center has a dry sense of humor off the court, but is also known for some quite vivacious on-court celebrations as well, channeling the likes of Stromile Swift and Guerschon Yabusele with his post-scoring rituals. Even his signature defensive move, the Kornet contest (or eclipse, in some corners) is a bit goofy to watch — even though it works.

What are the funniest Luke Kornet moments in Boston Celtics history?

The hosts of the CLNS Media “How Bout Them Celtics!” podcast compiled their favorite such moments on a recent episode. Check them out above!

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

[lawrence-auto-related count=1 category=590969556]