Luke Kornet was an overlooked part of the Spurs’ run to the NBA Finals last season, providing quality backup minutes behind Victor Wembanyama and starting 25 games. The veteran center has gotten off to a slow start this fall, prompting coach Mitch Johnson to come to his defense, Tom Orsborn of The San Antonio Express-News writes in a subscriber-only piece.

“I think that part of that is the four guys that are out there with Luke need to be better,” Johnson said. “Sometimes the Luke thing gets so exacerbated because it’s Luke versus Victor at times, not saying you said that, but just in general. And if the same four guys are out there with both, then it’s not just a Luke thing. That means they got to be better as well.”

Johnson’s comments came after Kornet finished with one point and six rebounds in 14 minutes of Wednesday’s overtime win at Utah while posting a team-worst minus-8 rating. Kornet’s numbers have fallen significantly from last season, as he’s averaging 2.4 points on 36.4% shooting, 3.6 rebounds and 0.6 blocks in 14.6 minutes through the first five games.

Orsborn states that fans are already calling for Kornet to be replaced by first-round pick Tarris Reed Jr., but Johnson appears committed to Kornet, who is signed through next season, along with a $9.35MM team option for 2028/29.

There’s more from the Southwest Division:

• Keldon Johnson, the longest-tenured Spurs player, is serving as a mentor to Reed and the team’s other three rookies, Orsborn states in a separate story. Johnson is using the example that veteran players set for him when he arrived in San Antonio in 2019. “I had Dejounte (Murray),” he said. “He was amazing for me. DeMar (DeRozan) was amazing for me. Patty Mills was a great guy who set the example for me and helped mold me into an NBA basketball player. I try to do the same for the rookies coming in. Whatever they need advice on, I try to be there for them and help any way possible. That’s what my vets and big brothers did for me.”
• Alperen Sengun has been taken off the Rockets’ injury report and will play tonight after missing Friday’s game with back soreness, according to Will Guillory of The Athletic (Twitter link). Reed Sheppard will miss his second straight game with low back soreness, while Fred VanVleet will sit out the second night of a back-to-back due to right knee injury management. Marcus Smart will play in a back-to-back setting for the first time this season.
• Dylan Sanders of Yahoo Sports looks at the impact of Pelicans’ offseason additions Bennedict Mathurin, who has been an awkward fit so far, and Trendon Watford, who saw his first game action Thursday night. AJ Johnson is also new to the roster, but he hasn’t played yet and was assigned to the G League on Friday.