Should the Celtics Thank or Blame the Spurs for Their Slow Start?
The Boston Celtics entered the season with one of the league’s most talented rosters and championship expectations that left little room for excuses. Yet after a sluggish start filled with inconsistent performances and uneven bench production, questions are starting to surface about what or who is to blame. Some Celtics fans have pointed toward the San Antonio Spurs, who quietly pried away one of Boston’s most underrated pieces over the offseason. When the Spurs signed Luke Kornet, they didn’t just add size; they took away a subtle but effective role player who had become Boston’s secret weapon in certain lineups. The 7-foot-2 forward-center wasn’t flashy, but he provided rim protection, floor spacing, and reliable chemistry with Boston’s second unit. Losing a player like that might not dominate headlines, but it can quietly change the balance of a contender’s rotation.
Boston’s frontcourt depth has looked noticeably thinner without Kornet’s presence. Kornet often filled the gaps between them, serving as a defensive anchor who could switch, box out, and move fluidly in head coach Joe Mazzulla’s system. His ability to execute drop coverage, challenge shots without fouling, and keep the paint secure gave Boston an unsung safety net last season. Now that reliability resides in San Antonio, where the Spurs have used him as a steady backup for Victor Wembanyama. Kornet’s minutes might not jump off the stat sheet, but his defensive presence and locker-room experience are helping stabilize a young team, something Boston could use right now. The Celtics’ defensive rating has dipped slightly compared to the same stretch last year, and while that can’t be pinned solely on Kornet’s absence, his departure certainly didn’t help.
Still, it’s possible the Celtics may end up thanking the Spurs before long. Kornet’s exit has forced Boston’s younger players, like Jordan Walsh to develop faster and emerge as a defensive and versatile presence for the Celtics. Mazzulla has also been experimenting with smaller, switch-heavy lineups that could pay off later in the season once chemistry improves. If those adjustments help the Celtics become more flexible and unpredictable in the playoffs, then this early adversity might prove beneficial in the long run. For now, though, the results speak for themselves. The Celtics’ bench production has slipped, their interior defense has been inconsistent, and the rotation remains in flux. Whether Boston chooses to thank or blame the Spurs may depend on how quickly they can turn things around. One thing is certain: San Antonio’s quiet move has left a louder mark on Boston than anyone expected.
