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Luke Kornet Makes NBA History in Celtics-Knicks Game 5

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Chris Phelps | Last updated May 14, 2025 11:42 PM ET

The Boston Celtics found themselves shorthanded going into a must-win Game 5 against the New York Knicks as Jayson Tatum was sidelined for the remainder of the NBA Playoffs, and then some, with a torn Achilles.

Sure enough, the Celtics, led by Jaylen Brown and Derrick White, kept their season alive with a 127-102 win against the Knicks, decreasing their second-round deficit to 3-2.

Brown put on a show without his fellow superstar out, tallying 26 points, eight rebounds and 12 assists. White added a game-high 34 points. But it was backup center Luke Kornet who stole the show.

With Kristaps Porzingis, seemingly a liability in the first two quarters, unable to breathe at halftime, per Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla, Kornet received the start and a majority of his minutes in the second half. And the former Vanderbilt star delivered.

In 26 minutes of action, Kornet recorded 10 points on a perfect 5-of-5 shooting, nine rebounds and seven blocks, finishing with a plus/minus of +20.

Sure enough, with his stellar play against New York in Game 5, Kornet has inserted himself into NBA history.

According to Celtics senior writer Taylor Snow, Kornet becomes the only player in league history to record his above statline or better.

"Luke Kornet is the 1st player in NBA playoff history with at least 10 points, 9 rebounds, 7 blocks, and 100 FG% in a game," Snow wrote on X.

Luke Kornet is the 1st player in NBA playoff history with at least 10 points, 9 rebounds, 7 blocks, and 100 FG% in a game. pic.twitter.com/zwICYH3aWK
— Taylor Snow (@taylorcsnow) May 15, 2025

Kornet has been a reliable rotation piece for the Celtics over the past four seasons, but really solidified his role this year. In 73 games during the 2024-25 regular season, he averaged 6.0 points on 66.8% shooting, 5.3 rebounds and 1.0 blocks in 18.6 minutes per contest.

With Porzingis still struggling with an illness and Tatum out, Kornet could certainly find himself in the starting lineup in the next match.

Game 6 between the Celtics and Knicks will be on Friday at 8:00 p.m. ET back in New York City.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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