BREAKING: Luke Kornet powers “French Vanilla” revival in Spurs frontcourt
I can confirm Luke Kornet is back, healthy, and changing the Spurs rotation tonight. The seven footer returned from a left ankle sprain and a shoulder issue, then delivered a spotless game. Six shots, six makes, 16 points, and seven rebounds in about 20 minutes. Chicago had no answer in a comeback win. The building felt it. The bench knew it. So did Victor Wembanyama.
This is not a cameo. This is a plan. San Antonio is testing the “French Vanilla” frontcourt, the Kornet and Wembanyama pairing, as a real staple. It looked sharp, controlled, and smart. It looked like something the Spurs can build on, not just a change of pace.
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The return, and why it matters right now
Kornet’s timing is the story. He came back, then gave the Spurs clean offense and heavy screens that tilted the floor. No forced shots. No wasted dribbles. His 6 for 6 line told the truth. He found gaps, rolled on time, and finished with touch.
On defense, he protected the rim and cleaned the glass. He did not chase blocks. He walled up, stayed vertical, and let Wembanyama hunt from the weak side. That is the fit. Kornet plays the anchor, Wemby plays the free safety. It shortens possessions and keeps fouls down.
Kornet leads qualified players in screen assists per 36 minutes this season, about 6.5. That is elite impact without the ball.
How Kornet elevates Wembanyama
Coach Mitch Johnson and GM Brian Wright are leaning in. Two bigs, two skill sets, one shape. Kornet sets, spaces, and talks. Wembanyama flies, swats, and finishes. Simple roles, strong results.
Offense that breathes
Kornet opens doors with his screens. Ball handlers turn the corner. Help arrives late. Wembanyama then gets single coverage or slips into a cut. Kornet’s short rolls are calm and quick. He can hit the corner. He can flip to a cutter. He can go up strong if the rim is open.
When Kornet spaces above the break, the lane clears. Wembanyama posts deeper and earlier. The timing is clean, and the rhythm shows.
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Defense that stacks length
This duo stacks size without clogging the game. Kornet plays drop, keeps drivers in front, and trusts his length. Wembanyama lurks on the back line, ready to erase. It turns mid range into a trap. It turns floaters into prayers. Chicago felt that late.
- Strong screens create clean threes and rolls
- Verticality limits fouls at the rim
- Wemby can roam as a helper, not chase every action
- Kornet’s talk organizes the shell on the back side
The contract, and the calculus
San Antonio committed early. Kornet signed a four year, 41 million dollar deal on June 30, 2025. Years one and two are fully guaranteed, year three is partially guaranteed, year four is non guaranteed. It is a smart, flexible number for a rotation big, and a clear signal of belief.
Low risk, high leverage. The deal protects the Spurs and rewards fit. It buys time to grow “French Vanilla” into a true identity.
The value comes in the margins. Kornet does not need the ball. He sets elite screens, anchors actions, and lets Wembanyama scale up as a scorer, not a battering ram. That is how you protect a franchise star in a long season.
What this means for the Spurs identity
Tonight was a proof of concept. Kornet’s efficient return tied the plan together. The Spurs looked bigger, calmer, and more connected in late minutes. The offense got easy stuff. The defense shrank space. It felt repeatable.
The next step is volume. More minutes for the pairing. More reps against top guards. More pressure games on the road. If the screening numbers hold, and if the foul rate stays low, “French Vanilla” can be a calling card by spring.
The Spurs do not need Kornet to be flashy. They need him to be exact. He was exactly that tonight.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What did Kornet do in his return game?
A: He scored 16 points on 6 for 6 shooting, grabbed seven boards, and swung the second half in about 20 minutes.
Q: Why is the “French Vanilla” pairing working?
A: Kornet screens and anchors the paint. Wembanyama roams and finishes. Roles are clear, spacing is better, and the defense is longer.
Q: How secure is Kornet’s spot?
A: He signed a four year, 41 million dollar deal. The first two years are locked in, which gives him real runway.
Q: What is the biggest stat that shows his value?
A: Screen assists. He leads qualified players per 36 minutes this season, around 6.5, which fuels shots for everyone.
Q: How does this help Wembanyama?
A: It gives him cleaner touches, less traffic, and more chances to attack from angles he likes. It also saves his energy on defense.
Conclusion
The Spurs needed a steady frontcourt partner for Wembanyama. Tonight, Luke Kornet delivered it, and he did it with zero waste. Perfect shooting, elite screens, sharp positioning. If this is the new normal, “French Vanilla” is not just a nickname. It is a blueprint, and it just put a win on the board. 🏀
