The Celtics’ frontcourt depth could take another hit after Game 2
Boston Celtics center Luke Kornet left Game 2 early with a sprained wrist, which could leave the team even more shorthanded in the frontcourt.
The Boston Celtics have played most of this playoffs shorthanded in their frontcourt. Starting center Kristaps Porzingis suffered a calf injury in Game 4 of the first-round series against the Miami Heat and hasn’t played since. That injury tested the Celtics’ already thin depth among their big men, and that test could grow after Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
Center Luke Kornet left the Celtics’ Game 2 win in the first half, and was initially announced by the team as questionable to return with a wrist injury. However he wasn’t seen for the rest of the game, not making it back to the Celtics’ bench at any point. Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla didn’t have an update on Kornet’s status after the game.
Kornet has seen an increased role following Porzingis’ injury in the first round. After playing just one in the first three games – with his lone five minutes coming in garbage time – he averaged 15 minutes per game since Game 5 of the first round prior to Thursday. In that time he was averaging 4.7 points and 4.6 rebounds per game.
By increasing Kornet’s role the Celtics were able to manage Al Horford’s increased workload. Following Porzingis’ injury Horford played 32 minutes per game after averaging 26 in the regular season. Horford was able to flash at times in that increased role – he was the star of the Celtics’ Game 5 closeout win over the Cleveland Cavaliers last round – but at times wear-and-tear has been apparent for the soon-to-be 38-year-old.
If Kornet is going to miss time beyond the second half of Game 2, the Celtics will need to adjust their rotation further. As of the latest reporting on Tuesday, Porzingis isn’t expected to return until Game 4 of this series at the earliest. That would likely mean a bigger role for either Xavier Tillman, who did play some impact minutes during the Celtics’ second-round series, or Neemias Queta, who has only played in garbage time.
The Celtics could also turn to a more small-ball lineup like ones they debuted in Game 2 on Thursday. Those lineups feature Jayson Tatum at the five, and could be strengthened by the emergence of Oshae Brissett, who played his first real playoff minutes in Game 2 following Kornet’s injury. Brissett played 12 minutes and was tied for the team-high with a plus-18.
“We were kind of forced into it [due to the Luke Kornet injury], but I thought it went well. I liked the speed, I liked the athleticism, I liked the spacing that we had,” Mazzulla said of the small-ball lineup after the game. “It presents strengths and some weaknesses that we have to be ready for.”
Meanwhile, the Pacers suffered what could potentially be a very significant injury during Game 2. Guard Tyrese Haliburton – who was just named All-NBA Third Team – didn’t finish the game due to ‘left hamstring soreness.’ He was seen limping to the team bus after the game.
It shouldn’t be long to get an update on Kornet or Haliburton. Both teams will have updated injury reports by 5:00 p.m. ET on Friday.
Keep scrolling for more on the Celtics’ Game 2 win…
Celtics take 2-0 lead over Pacers after Jaylen Brown masterclass
On Thursday night at the Garden the Boston Celtics hosted the Indiana Pacers looking to take a 2-0 series lead after a miraculous rabbit out of the hat win in game 1. The Celtics got late game heroics from Jaylen Brown, Jrue Holiday and Jayson Tatum to come back from the brink of defeat and steal one from Indiana. The questions heading into game 2 would mostly all be on how Indiana would react to letting one get away in game 1.
First Quarter:
Indiana would start off better in game 2 after going down 12-0 early in game 1 they scored the first basket of the night and looked steady early on. A small thing to look for tonight was could a slighted Jaylen Brown who was left off the All-NBA and All-NBA defensive teams be a little extra motivated to show he was deserving of those honors. I don’t think Jaylen needs any more motivation but any possible edge in the playoffs can’t hurt.
Boston would keep it’s same rotations from game 1 as Pritchard and Kornet were the first two players off the bench for the Celtics. Indiana would continue to hit their midrange jumpers early and build an 18-17 lead with 5:11 to go in the first.
Indiana would continue to play well but couldn’t separate themselves as Payton Pritchard would hit a 3 pointer to cut into the Pacers lead with 3:39 left in the first to make it a 23-20 game. The Pacers lights out shooting from midrange would continue as they were 9-14 from the field to start the game. Boston would struggle to hold onto the ball the final 3 minutes of the quarter but Indiana would struggle to capitalize only leading by two 27-25 at the end of the first quarter.
