It wasn’t enough to power the Celtics past the red-hot Rockets ... that’s big time. And Luke was great.” Kornet wasn’t afraid to battle down low against Houston’s physical defense.

Going into the season, Luke Kornet’s role within the Boston Celtics’ rotation was unclear. However, more than halfway into the season, Kornet has become a mainstay in the Celtics’ rotation and has proven to be an integral part of Boston’s success.

Boston nearly pulled off a great win, but fell for the seventh time this season after leading by at least 10 points.

The Boston Celtics were playing a different kind of blame game following the team's 114-112 loss to the Houston Rockets on Monday night. Seemingly everyone wanted to shoulder responsibility for the team's latest collapse.

This was a terrific showing for Kornet as he picked up the start with Derrick White (leg) unavailable. Al Horford (toe) was expected to play, but was ultimately a late scratch that went unreported by Boston. Kornet has fared well as a fill-in starter this season, averaging 11.2 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 2.3 blocks in six games.

Houston Rockets' Alperen Sengun (28) goes up for a shot as Boston Celtics' Derrick White (9) and Luke Kornet defend during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 3, 2025, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) AP

Joe Mazzulla took the blame for the late-game miscues, saying he put his players in poor position but it was evident that Horford’s absence proved costly in that spot since Kornet has not played in crunch time for much of the season.

Kornet will start in Monday's matchup against the Rockets, John Karalis of BostonSportsJournal.com reports. The big man will receive his sixth start of the season with Al Horford coming off the ...

Just before the Rockets inbounded the ball, Brown and Kornet played hot ... better and more prepared on Houston's last possession. "They were trying to go at Luke. I should have sniffed it out ...

Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla has opted to shoulder the blame for the decisive final two plays in his team's latest loss, a 114-112 defeat at the hands of the rising young Houston Rockets. Per Jay King of The Athletic,

Boston has lost nine games this season where it had the lead in the fourth quarter (which equals last year's mark in half the games).