Luke Kornet was inserted into the starting lineup at the last minute against the Rockets as he made the most of his minutes.

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.

While the Celtics are still adamant that everything will be fine, this is now more than a blip. They've been playing .500 ball for over a month, and have often looked out of sync

What was Luke Kornet's reaction to getting posterized in Saturday's win vs. the Mavs? He gave a hilarious explanation to NBC Sports Boston's Abby Chin.

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

Those last two plays are on me. Those are my fault.” Joe Mazzulla pointed the finger at himself after the Celtics dropped a 114-112 thriller to the Rockets on Monday night.

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

Houston forward Amen Thompson said he felt like the late Kobe Bryant after nailing a game-winning floater against the Celtics in Boston.

The Celtics played without Derrick White, Sam Hauser and Al Horford, giving an opportunity for players deeper on Boston’s bench to shore up the rotation. Despite plenty of mixing and matching by Mazzulla against an elite opponent, the results were largely underwhelming.

The Boston Celtics are by no means in any trouble. They lost Monday night at home to the ascending Houston Rockets, and yes, the Celtics are now more than five games back of the Cleveland Cavaliers at the top of the Eastern Conference;

Amen Thompson produced a career-high 33 points against Boston, and pushes Houston further up the standings, with 31-14 in second place.