Luke

Kornet

Initially listed as questionable for Game 5, Kornet logged just four minutes in Wednesday’s Game 4 defeat. While he’s likely to take on a similar workload with the Spurs’ season on the line, the veteran center will be able to provide some cover for Victor Wembanyama.

Kornet, who logged four minutes off the bench in Wednesday’s Game 4 defeat, is dealing with an illness. His potential absence from Game 5 would not significantly affect the Spurs’ rotation, given his limited playing time. It’s possible that Carter Bryant would get a few more minutes off the bench, especially if the Spurs looked to keep Victor Wembanyama’s playing time in check after he logged 44 minutes in Game 4. However, given what’s on the line, it’s unlikely that Wemby would play more than 40 minutes once again.

Kornet was initially listed as questionable for this game, but he will be good to go. He’ll continue to fill out the backup center minutes behind Victor Wembanyama.

Kornet is dealing with a sore left foot, and a potential absence would affect the back end of the Spurs’ rotation. He averaged 13.8 minutes per game in the second round, which included a spike in playing time in Game 4 due to Victor Wembanyama’s second-quarter ejection. If Kornet can’t play on Monday, more minutes would become available to Carter Bryant.

After playing a total of 32 minutes in the first three games of the Spurs’ second-round series, Kornet was asked to play 26 minutes in Game 4. The reason was Victor Wembanyama’s second-quarter ejection after picking up a Flagrant 2 foul. Kornet held his own on the glass, but there were also times when the Spurs called on Carter Bryant (two points and one rebound in 12 minutes) as part of a center-less lineup. With Wembanyama back in the fold for Game 5 on Tuesday, Kornet’s minutes are going to decrease significantly.

Wembanyama threw an elbow while being fouled, striking Minnesota’s Naz Reid above the neck. After a video review, the Spurs star was assessed a Flagrant 2 foul and ejected. Wembanyama finished with four points (2-of-5 FGs), four rebounds and one assist. His absence means more minutes for Luke Kornet, and there may be periods when Carter Bryant plays the five as part of a smaller lineup. Assuming there’s no suspension for Wembanyama for Game 5, he’ll be fine to run out in playoff fantasy contests.

The Spurs will get back the NBA Defensive Player of the Year on Sunday following a one-game injury absence. Wembanyama has not taken the floor since exiting Game 2’s loss early after a scary fall to the floor. He’ll reclaim his starting spot from Luke Kornet as San Antonio looks to take a 3-1 series lead.

Injured during Game 2, Wembanyama remained in the league’s concussion protocol for Friday’s Game 3 victory in Portland. The good news is that he was on the bench with his teammates, and there’s now a chance that the MVP finalist returns on Sunday. If Wembanyama plays, Luke Kornet will head to the bench.

Wemby is in the concussion protocol, but his participation in Friday’s shootaround bodes well for his health. More information on his status should be available closer to tip-off. If Wembanyama is ultimately ruled out, Luke Kornet would presumably slot in as San Antonio’s starting center.

Wembanyama’s upgrade to questionable is an encouraging sign for the Defensive Player of the Year, who fell hard on his face in the Spurs’ Game 2 loss to the Blazers. If unable to play on Friday, Luke Kornet will likely be the starting center.