Joe Mazzulla on Celtics Bench After Win Over Suns: ‘They Were Amazing'

The second unit was led by Luke Kornet's tremendous two-way play in the absence of Kristaps Porzingis.

Rob Greene | Mar 10, 2024

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Boston Celtics

The Boston Celtics avoided their first three-game win streak, snapping their two-game skid against the Phoenix Suns, 117-107.

It got within two possessions in the final minutes of the game, but Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown made the right plays in crunch time, combining for 56 points. Al Horford also hit a big three in the clutch. The 16-year veteran finished with nine points and 12 rebounds.

The unsung heroes of the night were Boston's bench.

Payton Pritchard and Luke Kornet recorded 24 points together, as Pritchard had it going offensively, and Kornet was once again terrific in his role, stepping up with Kristaps Porzingis out due to right hamstring tightness.

The seven-foot-two center registered 14 points and six rebounds and was a plus-12 on 6-7 shooting from the field on Saturday. He had a career-high five dunks and was there to alter things at the rim at the other end while also making the right plays activity-wise, including with his signature Kornet contest.

It's a testament to his ability to consistently step up with one of the Celtics' bigs out of the lineup. Pritchard also usually gets going when Boston is shorthanded.

Joe Mazzulla heaped plenty of deserved praise on those two and Sam Hauser following their victory vs. the Suns.

"They were amazing; they were tremendous," stated the Celtics' head coach. "I thought Payton changed the game with just his overall, his defense. Him and Sam both are known for offensive guys, but I think it's their defense that has really helped us this year."

Hauser was great on the defensive end as well, but Mazzulla knew it was Kornet who deserved the most credit. The seven-footer continues to show why Boston entered the season with such great stock in him; each game he gets great opportunities.

"Luke's ability to play versus the second unit and switching, where they gave us a great look," Mazzulla added. "When they went to touch, he was able to set great screens, and so that unit has been great for us all year, but tonight they were big time."

"That unit has been great for us all year, but tonight, they were big time"

Joe Mazzulla had high praise for the bench after coming up big vs the Suns pic.twitter.com/Sq1HfnjlTi
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