Luke Kornet Opens Up About Handling Inconsistent Role, Putting the Team Over Himself

Luke Kornet's best game with the Celtics helped them earn a 120-118 win over the Raptors and improve to 16-0 at home.

Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports

The Boston Celtics once again displayed their incredible depth and flexibility in their 120-118 win over the Toronto Raptors. Boston is now 16-0 at home and winners of 13 of their last 15 games. At 25-6, they continue to hold the league's best record.

Friday's victory required winning on the second night of a back-to-back without some of their top weapons. Jayson Tatum and Kristaps Porzingis were inactive due to injury management, and Al Horford was out due to his usual rest after playing the day before in Boston's 128-122 victory vs. the Detroit Pistons.

All of the Celtics starters recorded 15 points or more, aside from Sam Hauser, who had nine points and nine rebounds. Jaylen Brown had a dominant 31 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists, shooting 11-16 from the field and 5-6 from three. Derrick White also continued to strengthen his All-Star case with 21 points and seven assists.

Luke Kornet started at the five with Porzingis and Horford out. He played arguably his best game as a Celtic, registering a season-high 20 points and eight rebounds in 33 minutes. 

Post-game, the seven-foot-two center talked about what his experience of being available but not always playing, along with how other experiences have helped him handle the position he's in now. That includes shuffling from playing a big role off the Celtics' bench to Neemias Queta getting his number called instead of Kornet's, and spending entire matchups glued to the bench.

"When you're concerned about yourself and you're in that situation, one, you start feeling powerless, and that's not really a great feeling," expressed Kornet.

He added that putting the team's goals first makes for a far more enjoyable experience: "Doing everything for yourself is not a very high or fulfilling goal."

The six-year veteran also talked about how becoming a husband and father shaped him and helped him realize doing for others is far more rewarding to him.

Kornet has been back from his adductor injury for the last few games. He first returned on Christmas Day against the Lakers but had not seen game action yet. Friday night against the Raptors represented his first minutes since Dec. 12. He seemed like he did not miss a beat. 

"It's a weird thing in terms of the daily prep, in terms of working out and staying in shape, trying to put yourself in the best position... I do feel like, especially here in Boston, we have a group (of) players, coaches, and staff that are all cognizant of those individual struggles and do their best to put those feelings at peace and ease."

Further Reading

Jaylen Brown Quieting Doubters, Validating What He Always Believed: 'Earn Everybody's Trust'

Derrick White Propels Celtics Past Raptors, Preserving Boston's Unblemished Home Record

Jrue Holiday's Assertiveness Elevating Celtics' Offense

Jayson Tatum's Selflessness vs. Lakers Exemplifies Celtics' Maturation: 'Hopefully, It's Gonna Pay Off'

Celtics' Offensive Approach Outweighs Three-Point Struggles in Christmas Victory vs. Lakers

Jrue Holiday Discusses Celtics' Christmas Win vs. Lakers and What Set the Tone for 3-1 West Coast Trip

Joe Mazzulla Discusses Identity, Evolution of Celtics' Offense: 'Balance of Pace and Execution'

Jayson Tatum Joins PR Team for Derrick White’s All-Star Campaign

Jaylen Brown Shares His View of What Defines 'Celtics Basketball'

An Empowered Jaylen Brown Strives to Balance Scoring with Playmaking: 'I've Grown A Lot'

Joe Mazzulla Believes Celtics' Second Unit is 'Starting to Develop an Identity'