Luke Kornet

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While Luke Kornet battled separate injuries both at the beginning and end of the season, he got an opportunity to start 14 games as big men Wendell Carter Jr. and Daniel Gafford missed time. Kornet shot the ball much better during the second-half of the season. Offensively he registered eight double-digit scoring performances and shot over 46% from the floor from January onwards, compared to shooting under 40% from October through December and no double-digit scoring games. During his time on the floor, fans saw a center with spot-up shooting ability (it’s nearly impossible to block his shot because of his high-arcing release) with also a soft touch around the rim.

At 7-foot-2, Kornet’s shooting from three is what sets him apart from the other centers on the roster. He knocked down 31 total threes in 36 games this season but was inconsistent in that area, hitting 29% of his attempts. Looking earlier in his career, he shot over 35% from distance in each of his two seasons in New York. The hope is that Kornet uses this extended offseason to fully recover from his lower-body injuries sustained during the season to return next year as that stretch-five center that defenses have to respect, which opens up the floor for this young Bulls squad.

Luke Kornet starts a game 5-for-5 against Detroit.

Let's take a look at two of Kornet's notable performances this season:

JANUARY 31, 2020 AT BROOKLYN (NETS 133, BULLS 118)

Kornet Stat Line: 19 points (7-11 FG), 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 block

With both Wendell Carter Jr. and Daniel Gafford sidelined, Luke Kornet got the start in the middle in this one. Kornet had an efficient night offensively scoring 19 points, a season-high up to that point, on 7-of-11 shooting. He found success in the pick-and-pop game and rolling to the rim for high-percentage buckets. However, the Bulls had no answer for a red hot Kyrie Irving who went off for a season-high 54 points as defensive specialist Kris Dunn left the game on the first possession and did not return.

FEBRUARY 9, 2020 AT PHILADELPHIA (SIXERS 118, BULLS 111)

Kornet Stat Line: 25 points (10-14 FG, 4-8 3PT), 2 rebounds, 1 block

The Bulls were undermanned again as Kornet continued to gain starting opportunities. He delivered in a big way on this night. Matched up against All-Star center Joel Embiid, Kornet dropped a career-high 25 points on 10-of-14 shooting. At one point in the fourth quarter when Embiid went to close out on Kornet at the top of the key, Kornet blew right past him to find an open lane for a two-handed flush. Both Kornet and Zach LaVine were feeling it from behind the arc, combining to shoot 9-of-18 from three. But that shooting was essentially neutralized by an equally hot Furkan Korkmaz who scored 31 points off the bench for Philly on 12-of-17 shooting, leading the way for a Philly victory.

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Bulls 2019-2020 Season Recap: Luke Kornet

Bulls.com

Bulls center Luke Kornet sustained a left foot and ankle injury in practice on Feb. 21. Subsequent testing has revealed a severe ankle sprain and fracture of his fifth metatarsal. He is estimated to be out 6-to-8 weeks.

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Luke Kornet Injury Update

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Luke Kornet: 2018-19 Season Highlights

The Chicago Bulls have signed guard Shaquille Harrison and center Luke Kornet. In accordance with team policy, terms of the contracts were not announced.

Harrison (6-4, 190) initially signed with Chicago on Oct. 21, 2018, before being waived on July 6, 2019. During the 2018-19 season, he appeared in 73 games (11 starts) and averaged 6.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.22 steals over 19.6 minutes per game while averaging 43.2 percent shooting from the field, 27.0 percent from three and 66.7 percent from the free throw line. Harrison's 89 steals last season led the team and are the second-most in Bulls history by a guard who played less than 20 minutes per game. He recorded at least one steal in a career-long streak of 13 games from March 12 to April 9, 2019. Harrison set a career-high in scoring with 21 points on March 27 vs. Portland to go along with 10 rebounds for his second career double-double.

The University of Tulsa product first signed with Phoenix on Feb. 21, 2018, and averaged 6.6 points, 2.7 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.13 steals in 23 games. He played in four games (three starts) for the Suns during the 2018 preseason before being waived on Oct. 15, 2018. Kornet (7-1, 250) spent the last two seasons with the New York Knicks where he appeared in 66 games (19 starts) and averaged 6.9 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 16.8 minutes per game while shooting 38.2 percent from the field, 36.0 percent from three and 80.7 percent from the free throw line. Last season, he became the only Knick to post at least eight rebounds, five 3-pointers, three blocks and three steals in a game after recording a stat line of 17 points, eight rebounds, three blocks and three steals on March 20, 2019, vs. Miami. He also tied his career high in scoring on Dec. 27, 2018, at Milwaukee with 23 points, including making 7-of-11 attempts from distance. Kornet is one of five 7-footers to make at least seven 3-pointers in an NBA game.

In G League action, Kornet was assigned to the Westchester Knicks where he played in 47 games (46 starts) and averaged 16.7 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.7 assists in 32.4 minutes per game while shooting 49.5 percent from the field, 44.9 percent from three and 78.3 percent from the free throw line. He was also named to the 2017-18 All NBA G-League third team.

The 22-year old was originally signed by New York as an undrafted free agent on July 3, 2017. He played collegiately for four seasons at Vanderbilt University. Kornet will wear jersey No. 2.

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BULLS SIGN HARRISON AND KORNET

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