The 12 minutes that changed everything for the Celtics

Tie game, still 24 minutes of basketball to play. The Celtics are a loss away from elimination, and they decided to take matters into their own hands. Luke Kornet starts instead of Kristaps Porzingis, and the script is about to change.

In the third quarter, the Celtics only concede 17 points in 12 minutes. That’s 74 points per 100 possessions—an absolute defensive masterclass that made offense easier because they played off misses. But how was it made possible?

Because of Luke Kornet.

The Celtics used Kornet as a goalkeeper or a safety, depending on which sport you’re more familiar with. Because the Knicks always have a player who can be left open from three, the Celtics were determined to take away the paint.

Around Kornet’s tall and strong frame, they built a defensive wall to force tough, contested shots or open three-pointers for Josh Hart. Because of that defensive approach, the Knicks didn’t attempt a single shot at the rim. They shot 0-for-5 from the short mid-range, 2-for-8 from the long mid-range, and 2-for-7 from three.

The two threes actually came from Josh Hart early in the third, as if the basketball gods were testing the Celtics’ belief in their defensive approach.

While the defense improved and took away the paint, the offense also looked very different from what we’ve seen so far in the series. Within 60 seconds of the third quarter, the Celtics drove to the basket twice and generated four points—always attacking Jalen Brunson, forcing him to play defense.

Back on defense, it wasn’t just the Kornet adjustment. The discipline and energy were also far better. In the first half, Jaylen Brown was caught off guard a couple of times when following Brunson off-ball—but he was locked in during the second half.

Here, look at him being like Marcus Smart and saving the ball after stealing it from Brunson.

Most of the Kornet talk centered around his seven blocks — yet that might not have been the most impressive part. Watch him on this play, switching onto Brunson while staying connected. Then, the discipline to switch again with Derrick White to find himself off-ball. Josh Hart can’t attack Jrue Holiday, and that’s another stop for the Celtics.

He moved really well despite his high center of gravity and weight. Here again, he navigates the back-screen from the paint pick-and-roll, closes out, contests Hart’s drive, and blocks Karl-Anthony Towns’ rim attempt.

Yet Kornet wasn’t the only defensive hero of the game. Here, after a timeout, watch Brown’s focus and dedication to stay connected with Brunson full court. He goes under the screen when needed, fights back to regain position, and doesn’t give space. This ends up being a poor possession for the Knicks, who are struggling against the Celtics’ defensive approach.

The Brown–Kornet duo is killing the Knicks’ pick-and-roll, and the offense is stagnant. New York keeps trying to involve Kornet, because if not, he’ll be waiting at the rim to disrupt shot attempts. The problem is, he’s doing a fantastic job containing the drive while staying connected to Hart.

On this attempt again, his presence takes away Brunson’s drive. He then rotates back to Hart, forces him into a tough shot, blocks him—and that’s another turnover.

On the other side of the court, the Celtics either play in transition or find ways to drive and get the best shot possible. Brown and Kornet attack KAT again in a pick-and-roll. As soon as he has space, Brown drives and forces Hart to help from the strong side… which gives an open three to Payton Pritchard.

A new goalkeeper impression from Kornet who, in one possession, takes away four different possible shot attempts. Because of him, neither Towns, Brunson, nor Hart tries anything at the rim. And even when KAT thinks it’s open, Kornet blocks him for another defensive stop.

Thanks to all these defensive stops, the Celtics get into offense early and can get in motion. The ball movement—and players’ ability to thrive in chaos—was crucial and well executed. Look here: Sam Hauser gets into a ghost-screen action spontaneously, and that’s an open three for him.

The Celtics might actually have found the way to kill the Knicks’ offense with Kornet playing in the same position Robert Williams used to. Look at all the Knicks’ ball movement and screening. Yet, because they have one non-shooting threat on the floor, Kornet can keep operating as a goalkeeper and block yet another shot.

And then came the masterpiece of that third quarter, which brought joy back into my life for a second. The Knicks are trying to run a horns set with the ball in Hart’s hands. This approach is meant to drag Kornet as far from the rim as possible. On the side, OG Anunoby gets a post-up against White and tries to score over him, but he’s not quick enough—and that’s another block from Kornet, who even saves the ball as it goes out!

Then, the Celtics run in transition and try to capitalize on the miss. Kornet runs to the other end and gets the ball on the wing. Hauser recognizes a handoff opportunity and sprints to him. That collapses the defense, and Kornet is free at the rim. Gorgeous.

Against the Celtics’ great defense, the Knicks’ lack of spacing was obvious—and Joe Mazzulla took advantage of it. In 12 minutes, the Celtics built a 15-point lead and never looked back. The fourth quarter was also impressive, with great ball movement and continued defensive execution.

The Celtics have what it takes to do the same at Madison Square Garden in Game 6 and bring the series back to Boston for a Game 7 at the TD Garden.

Do you believe?