Luke Kornet a new problem Knicks must solve in Game 6

Without Jayson Tatum, the Celtics needed everyone else to step up.Derrick White and Jaylen Brown certainly did their part, but who could have seen Luke Kornet elevating so dramatically?This was not the Kornet the Knicks saw during his time with the team.

Not the Kornet, now with the Celtics, the Knicks had really seen yet this series.Not the Kornet that has been the norm throughout his career.But Wednesday’s version of Kornet crushed the Knicks in their 127-102 Game 5 loss to the Celtics at TD Garden.

He had 10 points — on perfect 5-for-5 shooting from the field — along with nine rebounds and a career-high seven blocks in 26 minutes off the bench.He outplayed Karl-Anthony Towns, which should be hard to believe.

He bullied the Knicks inside.Kornet became the first player in NBA playoff history to record a game with at least 10 points, nine rebounds and seven blocks on 100 percent shooting.The seven blocks were tied for second-most in Celtics playoff history.“Luke was huge,” Jaylen Brown said after the game.

“Defensively and offensively, he was stellar.That’s the types of performances we need in the playoffs.

Defensively, getting stops, making plays, big finishes — he got that backwards lob.Luke was great.”Kornet’s breakout showing came as Kristaps Porzingis struggled and did not play at all in the second half.

He continues to battle his undisclosed illness, and Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said after the game that Porzingis “couldn’t breathe” and was only available if absolutely necessary in the second half.Porzingis played just 12 minutes, had one point and did not hit a field goal.

Kornet’s 26 minutes were his most of the playoffs as a result.Going forward, Mazzulla could certainly start Kornet in place of Porzingis if the latter continues to feel less than 100 percent or struggle.Kornet played the entire third quarter, when the Celtics outscored the Knicks 32-17.It’s fair to say Kornet has become more of a worry for the Knicks t...