SALT LAKE CITY — Luke Kornet said his approach doesn’t change too much knowing he’s going to get a rare start. But reality is certainly that Kornet is going to get some more minutes, which was indeed the case as the Celtics faced the Jazz on Tuesday.
Both Kristaps Porzingis (hamstring) and Al Horford (rest) were out Tuesday on the second game of a back-to-back, opening the door for Kornet to get the start. Not just them, but Jaylen Brown (back) also sat, so there were plenty of minutes to go around for the depth.
The bench players stepped up in an impressive way Tuesday — especially the Celtics’ big men in Kornet and Xavier Tillman. Both players stepped up in their added minutes in Boston’s win over Utah. Kornet had 12 points, nine rebounds and six assists; Tillman came up with seven points and eight rebounds. Both bigs had four offensive rebounds each, setting the tone throughout the game.
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“Honestly these games are a lot of fun if we’re down a couple starters,” Kornet said. “A lot of that aspect of certain guys being able to play a little bit more in different lineups and being able to figure it out. It’s been nice having Xavier around, in terms of him being able to play some but also with working out and understanding him as a player.”
Of course, it wasn’t just the production but also the process in which it came about. Tillman was a trade deadline acquisition, meaning he’s never played alongside Kornet in a double big lineup. But C’s coach Joe Mazzulla went to that look Tuesday anyway, resulting in positive minutes for the pair.
In some ways, their cohesive play together is a representation of the bench’s “stay ready” mantra throughout the season. Multiple times this season, depth players have been thrown into a game without much warning. And yet, they keep producing, much like Tillman and Kornet did Tuesday.
“The other guys have an innate ability to play at their absolute best regardless of the sub pattern, regardless of if they know they’re going in,” Mazzulla said. “X didn’t know he was going to play as much as he did. Just the professionalism and stay-readiness they have is a credit to the coaching staff and a credit to the players. Their ability to stay flexible.”
There will likely be a few more games this season where the bench players get some extra shine — especially after the C’s clinch the No. 1 seed ahead of the playoffs. While Tillman and Kornet likely won’t play together in the playoffs, that added chemistry is still a boost. Importantly, the Celtics’ depth players just keep showing positive development, which is a great omen ahead of the playoffs.
“Joe gives us a lot of trust for us to make calls on our own and try to figure it out,” Kornet said. “I think the more and more time we spend with each other, everyone’s kind of on that page and everyone gets on the same wavelength the more and more time you have together.”
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