Spurs' busy November is Luke Kornet's chance to erase early-season struggles

November will be a tough month for the San Antonio Spurs, as they'll play 16 games throughout. They've already gotten a few out of the way, but staying consistent during this stretch will be important for them to re-establish themselves as the dominant team in the Western Conference. It'll also allow Luke Kornet to build back trust as the team's backup center.

In the 2025-26 campaign, Kornet was a reliable bench option for the Spurs, averaging 6.5 points, 6.1 rebounds, and a block per game. He even helped the team stay solid during an early-season stretch in which Victor Wembanyama was absent. But he couldn't carry that production into the playoffs, where he struggled to score consistently, control the glass, and protect the rim.

Unfortunately, some of those problems have carried over to this season, opening the door for even more criticism. But it's not too late for him to flip the script; taking advantage of this busy November schedule will help him regain his footing and prove to Mitch Johnson that he's still the best second-string center option.

Wemby will need support during this busy stretch

The Alien has been great so far in November, making a compelling case for the league MVP award. But 16 games is a lot of basketball, so it'll be important that he has strong interior support throughout this stretch. That was made clear in the NBA Finals: as dominant as he is, the Spurs must manage his usage so he doesn't overextend himself.

That's where Kornet can be of value. When Wemby heads to the bench, he'll have plenty of opportunities to help the team stay strong on the offensive and defensive glass while providing solid paint scoring and rim protection.

We know Wembanyama is the best player on the Spurs' roster, and therefore, he's going to take on a lot of responsibilities. But giving the young superstar as healthy a load as possible will go a long way in sustaining him for an entire season, and Kornet can play a huge part in that by holding his ground on the interior off the bench.

A strong November will help Kornet maintain his role

Playing well during this November stretch will also help Kornet stay ahead of his frontcourt competition. Tarris Reed Jr. is itching to play some meaningful minutes and be a bruiser down low, so if he can't take advantage of these next few weeks, it'll only give Mitch Johnson more of a reason to let the young center spread his wings.

This isn't just a chance for Kornet to help take pressure off Wemby; it's also an opportunity for him to put his foot down and make a statement that the Spurs' backup center position isn't up for the taking. The ball is in his court now.

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