Luke Kornet is on the Spurs’ injury report ahead of Game 5 against the Knicks at Frost Bank Center on Saturday. Victor Wembanyama and the squad are trailing the Knicks 3-1 in the NBA Finals after suffering a brutal 107-106 loss in Game 4 at Madison Square Garden. Fans reacted to Kornet’s injury news ahead of a potential championship-elimination game.
According to Tim MacMahon, Luke Kornet is questionable to play due to a general illness. The 7-foot-1 veteran backup center helps buy crucial recovery time for Victor Wembanyama on the Spurs bench. His absence from the lineup could put an extra burden on Wembanyama, who is already fatiguing himself while averaging 40.3 minutes per game in his first NBA Finals ever.
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NBA fans shared their thoughts on the Spurs potentially missing Kornet in Game 5. Here are some of the reactions on X.
“Bro choked so hard he got sick,” a fan said.
“Illness? Is he bedridden? It’s the finals,” a fan commented.
“LUKE KORNET FLU GAME INCOMING,” another fan said.
“Luke Kornet is so bad in this series, this might actually be a blessing,” someone reacted.
“Kelly Olynyk coming out to kill half our team,” another fan commented.
“Calling out on your last day of work is crazy,” a fan reacted.
Luke Kornet’s impact off the bench for the Spurs is often overlooked, as the 2024 NBA champion’s numbers don’t reflect his contribution to the team. He is averaging 1 point and 2 rebounds while playing 7.8 minutes per game. However, he is a crucial part of Mitch Johnson’s rotation strategy to battle the Knicks’ physicality in the paint.
Earlier, Kornet made his presence felt in the Western Conference Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The nine-year veteran stole the spotlight after a massive block on Isaiah Hartenstein that ultimately led to a Game 7 win on the road.
Who Can Replace Luke Kornet on Spurs Against Knicks?
Center depth is not a concern for coach Mitch Johnson, but Kornet’s absence could affect the Spurs’ big man rotation against the Knicks and force Victor Wembanyama to play extra minutes. San Antonio has seasoned centers in Kelly Olynyk, Bismack Biyombo, and Mason Plumlee, but they have only played garbage minutes coming off the bench in the playoffs.
The reserve Spurs’ centers have not played a single minute in the 2026 NBA Finals and might need to step up in the most crucial game of their careers. Johnson could also demand extended playing minutes from Carter Bryant, who has failed to impress fans throughout the playoff run. Bryant is averaging 3.5 points, 0.8 rebounds, and 0.3 assists in 9.2 minutes per game.
Edited by Vishal Bhardwaj