The San Antonio Spurs are staring down elimination. Down 3-1 in the NBA Finals after a heartbreaking 107-106 loss in Game 4, the team is now dealing with an unexpected health concern ahead of a must-win Game 5. Backup center Luke Kornet has landed on the injury report, officially listed as questionable due to an illness.
Kornet’s Status in Limbo
The Spurs’ latest injury report, released on Saturday, shows the 30-year-old veteran as questionable. San Antonio has until 5 p.m. local time (7 p.m. EST) to determine his official status, though a final call could come closer to tip-off. For context, Knicks center Mitchell Robinson is also on the injury report but has already been cleared as available.
Why This Matters
Kornet has been the primary backup to rookie sensation Victor Wembanyama throughout the 2025-26 campaign and into the postseason. While his minutes are modest — roughly 13 per game in the playoffs — those minutes are critical. They allow Wembanyama to rest without a catastrophic drop-off in rim protection or rebounding.
In 22 playoff games, Kornet is averaging 3.8 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 0.7 assists while shooting 57.9% from the field. Those numbers won’t jump off the stat sheet, but his availability is suddenly a major storyline with the Spurs’ season on the line.
The Backup Plan
If Kornet can’t go, expect Mason Plumlee to slide into the backup center role. There’s also a chance Kelly Olynyk could see some run, though Plumlee is the likelier option based on recent rotation patterns. The team has not confirmed how they’ll adjust, but the coaching staff will have to make a decision roughly 30 minutes before the ball goes up.
Game 5 Stakes
Game 5 tips off at 8:30 p.m. EST from San Antonio and will air on ABC. A loss ends the season. A win forces a Game 6 back in New York. For the Spurs, keeping Wembanyama fresh for a full 48 minutes — or close to it — is paramount. Whether Kornet is healthy enough to help them do that could shape the outcome of the entire series.
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