The San Antonio Spurs earned their second straight win Friday night, remaining undefeated to begin the 2025-26 season. It was a hard-fought matchup, as San Antonio needed overtime to outlast the New Orleans Pelicans. As expected, Victor Wembanyama delivered another dominant performance, recording 29 points, 12 rebounds and nine blocks, once again showcasing his two-way potential. However, he was not the only major contributor in the victory.
Veteran center Luke Kornet emerged as a key factor off the bench, placing himself on the early radar as a potential Sixth Man of the Year candidate. Kornet played 35 minutes and anchored the Spurs’ frontcourt in the overtime period after Wembanyama fouled out, providing both stability and energy.
Overall, Kornet stuffed the stat sheet, finishing with 14 points, 12 rebounds, four assists and one block on 6-for-9 shooting. Most impressively, he secured nine offensive rebounds, repeatedly extending possessions and creating second-chance scoring opportunities. Those hustle plays proved crucial in the extra frame, allowing San Antonio to maintain momentum.
Kornet was considered one of the more underrated free-agent additions of the offseason. After spending parts of five seasons with the Boston Celtics, he signed a four-year, $40.7 million contract with the Spurs. While he served as a reliable reserve in Boston, averaging 4.9 points, 3.9 rebounds and 0.9 blocks last season, he flashed his upside during the 2024 playoffs. In Game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinals, Kornet stepped up in an expanded role, scoring 10 points on perfect shooting while adding nine rebounds, one steal and seven blocks to help keep Boston’s season alive.
If Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson continues to trust Kornet with meaningful minutes, his combination of efficient scoring, interior defense and relentless rebounding could elevate him into legitimate award consideration. Early returns suggest Kornet may be one of the league’s most effective backups this season.
