On Jan. 10, 2026, Luke Kornet and the San Antonio Spurs will be at TD Garden to square off against the Boston Celtics. It’ll be Kornet’s first game back in Boston after leaving the team as a free agent this summer. In early July, the Texas native inked a four-year, $41 million deal to join the Spurs.
Kornet’s situation is funny. Typically, a player will leave in free agency and see the fanbase sour on them. In his case, everyone just seems to be happy that he got himself a nice payday.
Celtics fans will appreciate Kornet's dedication and hard work, as well as his humor
The 30-year-old was a real success story in Boston. He first joined the team in 2021 in a trade from the Chicago Bulls. He spent half a season with the Cs before being waived in the ensuing offseason. Kornet later found his way back to the North End after playing out a pair of 10-day contracts with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Milwaukee Bucks.
He finished the 2021-22 season with the Celtics, earned himself a multi-year contract that summer, and spent the following three years working his way into Boston’s rotation. His minutes increased each season until eventually he became a rotation mainstay in the 2024-25 season.
He even got himself a ring along the way.
Kornet appeared in 73 games for the Cs last year, starting in 16 of them. The big man averaged 6.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks per game. He blossomed into a solid spot starter and reliable backup big man, so much so that losing him to the Spurs hit Celtics fans like a ton of bricks.
As much as his game will be missed, many will remember his endless bag of celebrations even more fondly. Kornet would do something hilarious after making a big play at least once a week. From hitting a series of lightning dabs, miming a dove with his hands, and even barking at the crowd, the big man’s range was unbelievable.
What may have been Kornet’s most memorable outing with the Cs was one of his last. The former Vanderbilt standout posted 10 points, nine rebounds, and SEVEN blocks in Game 5 of the 2025 Eastern Conference Semifinals against the New York Knicks. The statline might not completely do it justice, but it felt like he was everywhere that night.
Kornet will undoubtedly get a nice round of applause when he checks in on XXX. Celtics fans would be wise to let out some barks in his honor as well.