Celtics Found Hope In Unlikely Hero Amid Kristaps Porzingis Wreck Vs. Knicks

Kristaps Porzingis showed zero progress during Wednesday night’s season-saving Boston Celtics’ Game 5 win over the New York Knicks at TD Garden, therefore, the team needed an unsung hero.

That’s where Luke Kornet came in, as the “Green Kornet” picked up where the “Unicorn” left off to give the Celtics a fighting chance at a Game 7.

“Luke was tremendous tonight,” Payton Pritchard said, per NBC Sports Boston. “Took care of the paint. Was active all night, blocking shots, rebounding. Was big at the rim. The reverse dunk was special, so you see all the work somebody puts in, and to have a moment like this in the playoffs is definitely big. But we’re gonna need more from him and continue that, so we’re definitely gonna need it Game 6.”

Kornet’s legacy performance took off in the third quarter when Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla knew Porzingis wouldn’t return — the 7-footer struggled breathing after tallying one point and one rebound in 12 minutes. Boston’s backup morphed into the defensive player of the night by recording a game-high (and career-high) seven blocks off the bench, which put Kornet three shy of setting a new Celtics record in playoff blocks — currently held by Robert Williams III (9). Kornet was fierce, consistent, energetic and sparked the entire team at its most desperate moment.

“Seven blocks is crazy, and he really stepped up when we needed him,” Derrick White said, per NBC Sports Boston.

The Celtics knew, without Jayson Tatum and staring at a 3-1 deficit, that the difficulty and pressure would amplify. But Kornet alleviated that with a next-in-line showing that left the Knicks in no-man’s land. New York star center Karl-Anthony Towns shot just 5-of-11 from the floor and got blocked twice by Kornet, while watching as the 29-year-old scored 10 points and grabbed nine rebounds with a plus-20 rating across 26 minutes.

Everyone at TD Garden, from fans to teammates, was appreciative of the heroic effort Kornet supplied on a night when the Celtics were put to the ultimate test.

“I feel like it was just trying to make plays,” Kornet told reporters after Boston’s 127-102 win, per CLNS Media. “Obviously, our season’s on the line, so I’m just trying to have a lot of energy, make plays. I feel like it was everybody. I feel like everybody stepped up and we were very connected and very aggressive and forceful and obviously did our job for the day. Now we have to get up and do it again, and it’ll require different things on Friday, but just gotta keep that same mentality and do whatever it takes.”

Just when the Celtics seemed down and out for the count, they proved that they’re still capable of going the distance. Porzingis has struggled with his illness all postseason long, shooting 32% from the field and 12.5% from 3-point range while averaging a measly 8.1 points and 4.6 rebounds for Boston. That’s not gonna cut it.

Mazzulla needed to act with urgency, even though it meant pulling the plug on Porzingis and throwing a fresh set of legs (Kornet) out there to compete. In the end, Kornet’s insertion in Game 5 was the best decision Mazzulla made this series.

“He’s great on both ends of the floor,” Mazzulla said, per NBC Sports Boston. “He did a great job protecting the rim. Did a great job defending without fouling. Did a great job on both ends of the floor, so I thought his presence was good, especially on the rebounding end — nine rebounds, two offensive ones. He made some big-time plays for us.”

Mazzulla added: “He’s just good at being in the right place at the right time.”

There isn’t an official Eastern Conference semifinals winner until the Celtics or Knicks win four games, and if Kornet’s determination was an indicator of the response the reigning champs will carry to New York. Game 7 isn’t so improbable anymore.