When Derrick White was out for Saturday’s game due to personal reasons, it had a domino effect on the rest of the roster. It was the first time this season the Celtics had a starter unavailable, so roles naturally shifted for the game.
Al Horford, the Celtics’ sixth man, slid into the starting lineup as expected, creating the double big lineup with Kristaps Porzingis. The C’s are still learning to play with each other, but it’s not the first time this season Horford and Porzingis have shared a court.
With Horford and Porzingis starting, there were more available minutes behind them off the bench. And that’s where a guy like big man Luke Kornet comes in. The center made an impact in the 124-114 win over the Nets, posting 11 points and seven rebounds off the bench in his 15 minutes.
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“You don’t know for sure, but obviously with a guy out, there’s going to be more time available,” Kornet told reporters, via CLNS Media. “But I feel like I’m just trying to do the same stuff I always do, which is screen and rebounding and running and protecting the rim. It can kind of look different in every game. Today, it ended up with me having the ball at the rim a little bit more.”
The Celtics needed that production from Kornet as the Nets were feisty Saturday despite playing the second game of a back-to-back. It was also no surprise C’s coach Joe Mazzulla turned to Kornet as he was the only reserve big man on the bench. Neemias Queta, the two-way big man, has been nursing a foot injury and was out once again Saturday.
Kornet didn’t show too many flashes during the preseason even when he got minutes. But the 28-year-old has shown the C’s he can eat regular-season minutes when his number’s called. Considering the C’s aren’t flush with big man depth, he’s valuable depth for a team that has plenty of length. Kornet once again showed he can contribute when needed, which the Celtics will take as they improved to 5-0.
“With the group that we have on, we’re just trying to figure out a way to win,” Kornet said. “There’s a lot of getting used to each other and stuff. We just have the opportunity on the court to figure that out. We also have a lot of competitive guys and just trying to figure out whatever works for that game. It’s honestly fun playing with all the different styles that we have.”
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