The San Antonio Spurs have a frontcourt concern before Game 5 of the NBA Finals, with one rotation big listed as questionable due to illness.
The timing is difficult because San Antonio are already facing elimination against the New York Knicks after a brutal Game 4 collapse.
The player involved has not carried a major scoring role in the series, but his availability still matters because of the minutes and matchups behind Victor Wembanyama.
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Luke Kornet’s illness gives San Antonio Spurs another Game 5 concern
In a post shared by NBA on ESPN, the Spurs’ injury concern was confirmed before their must-win matchup with the Knicks.
“Spurs backup C Luke Kornet is questionable for Game 5 due to an illness,” ESPN reported.
Kornet has played a limited role in the Finals, but he remains part of San Antonio’s center depth at a time when every frontcourt minute matters.
The Spurs trail the series 3-1 after losing Game 4, 107-106, despite holding a 29-point lead before the Knicks completed a historic comeback at Madison Square Garden.
Luke Kornet’s absence could push Victor Wembanyama workload even higher
The main issue for San Antonio is not replacing Kornet’s scoring, but managing the minutes around Wembanyama.
Kornet has mostly been used in short backup-center stretches during the series, giving the Spurs a bigger body when Wembanyama rests or when matchups call for another traditional center.
If he cannot play, San Antonio may have to turn to Mason Plumlee or another reserve big, while asking Wembanyama to carry even more responsibility in the paint.
That is not ideal after the Spurs star played 44 minutes in Game 4 and remains central to everything San Antonio does defensively.
The Knicks have already tested the Spurs with size, pressure and offensive rebounding, and Game 5 now comes with no margin for error.
Kornet’s status may not decide the series on its own, but it could affect how long San Antonio can protect Wembanyama from fatigue while trying to keep their season alive.
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