Luke Kornet’s playoff struggles are proving costly for the San Antonio Spurs, especially as they require frontcourt depth. The backup big man’s diminishing impact is leaving the team searching for answers during the Western Conference Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder. This mirrors a familiar pattern for those who observed his time with the Boston Celtics.
A Recurring Issue from Boston
The current wave of Luke Kornet’s playoff struggles is not new. Boston fans witnessed a similar scenario play out in the Eastern Conference. They recognised the point at which the intensity of the postseason began to affect his performance.
During his time with the Boston Celtics, the blueprint for these playoff struggles first emerged when the real games began. In the 2024-25 regular season with Boston, he averaged 6.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.0 block per game while shooting 66.8% from the floor. However, once the 2025 playoffs arrived, his numbers dipped across the board to 4.5 points and 3.9 rebounds per game in 11 appearances. That drop-off previewed the playoff struggles we are seeing today.
Regular Season vs. Postseason Impact
The discrepancy in Kornet’s stats highlights the impact of his playoff struggles on his new team. After moving to the Western Conference for the 2025-26 campaign, he put together a fantastic regular season. He averaged 6.5 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.9 assists in 68 games, shooting 64.3% from the field.
However, as the intensity ramped up against Oklahoma City, Luke Kornet’s playoff struggles resurfaced. Through 16 games in the 2026 postseason, his production has dropped to 4.8 points and 4.4 rebounds, while registering a -27 plus-minus rating. His court time has been reduced because he cannot find his footing, meaning his playoff struggles are actively altering the rotation.
Defensive Liabilities Exposed
The Thunder have actively targeted the San Antonio Spurs center, making Luke Kornet’s playoff struggles a massive liability on defence. In the regular season, a backup big man can camp out under the rim and contest standard shots. But Oklahoma City is completely destroying that comfort zone by dragging him out to the three-point line and forcing him to guard speedy ball-handlers in isolation.
- Regular Season: 6.5 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 64.3% shooting
- Playoffs: 4.8 points, 4.4 rebounds, -27 plus-minus
Mitch Johnson has found creative ways to navigate his playoff struggles so the series didn’t get away.