Photo by Brian Fluharty/Getty Images

Luke Kornet was ‘stunned’ at what happened at the end of third quarter of Boston Celtics win, he had one regret

Originally posted on NBA Analysis Network | By Dan Coombs | Last updated May 15, 2025 7:30 AM ET

The Boston Celtics roared back without Jayson Tatum and found an unlikely hero in Game 5 against the New York Knicks.

A heroic effort from the Boston Celtics saw the team clinch their first home win of the Eastern Conference semifinals,

The 127-102 victory forces a Game 6, and puts doubt in the minds of the 3-2 leading New York Knicks, who will fear the prospect of having to return to TD Garden for a Game 7.

This was the first Celtics game since Jayson Tatum underwent Achilles surgery, and there were multiple players who stepped up.

Derrick White scored 34 points, helped by 26 from Jaylen Brown, while Luke Kornet was the definition of a role player with 10 points and 7 blocks.

Photo by Brian Fluharty/Getty Images

Luke Kornet was the turning point

Speaking to ESPN from TD Garden, NBA insider Brian Windhorst described Luke Kornet as the difference maker for the Boston Celtics, after he came in to start the second half ahead of Kristaps Porzingis.

He said: “I really do think the turning point in this game was when Joe Mazzulla went to Luke Kornet to start the second half. He was a complete difference maker at the defensive end in the third quarter with the five blocked shots.

“Mazzulla said that he made the decision because Kristaps Porzingis, who has been dealing with this upper respiratory illness for several months, could not breathe, and that it was really a decision based about made about the health, not made as a strategy decision.

“However, the decision was made, the strategy made a huge difference.”

Luke Kornet embraced his role

Luke Kornet had the perfect game for the Celtics in Game 5, with his shot map showing how he scored with all five of his efforts close to the rim.

Kornet had nine rebounds and was a +20 during his time on the court, with seven blocks in all, five of which came in the third quarter.

Windhorst explained: “Kornet said that he was advised at halftime he was getting ready to come out and start. He just put his mindset on trying to get as many shots altered as he could.

“He said, sometimes you have a hot hand when you’re shooting, and sometimes you have a hot hand when you’re blocking shots. You see the ball well, and things just come your way. He said that happened, and it was a big moment.”

He added that Kornet had one regret related to the attention his impactful performance brought to the team

Windhorst said: “He was stunned when he walked off the court at the end of the third quarter and was requested to do the in between quarter interview. And he said he was tired, and he wasn’t as witty and charming as he wished, that was his only regret.”

Considering the Celtics would have been eliminated with a defeat in Game 5, Kornet’s regret is a good one to have.