Los Angeles Lakers vs. Houston Rockets — Game 3 Postgame Media Availability

[3:31] J.J., you almost never see a six-point lead in the ball with three seconds left. [3:37] I don't see what events happen. [3:40] What kind of stood out the most with LeBron and Marcus Smart in the plays? [3:44] How does that, if anything, symbolize the way you guys have been competing lately? [3:50] Both those guys made big-time plays. [3:56] And before the game, at halftime, you know, we've talked for the last 10-plus days [4:02] just about elevating everything, and this is our first road playoff game. [4:06] And you have to elevate your poise, you have to elevate your composure, [4:10] recognizing that there's going to be moments where the crowd's going crazy [4:13] or you get down, they make a run, whatever it may be. [4:16] We weathered a lot tonight. [4:18] We weathered a lot of turnovers. [4:19] I thought our defense was fantastic. [4:21] And then in that moment, just to have the poise to just keep playing. [4:25] And Smart made a huge play to get us into a one-possession game. [4:30] And then coming out of that timeout, for them, we wanted to get a trap [4:36] and Rui and Bron did a good job of just putting pressure on Shepard [4:41] and obviously we make the steal, and Bron hits a big-time shot. [4:45] And what was it like, just the swings, the emotional swings? [4:49] What was kind of your focus on the sideline? [4:51] Next play. [4:53] Next play. [4:53] I mean, look, there's a lot of things that happened tonight that were not perfect, [5:02] including some stuff I did. [5:06] There was one timeout that I wish I could have back where they had the ball [5:11] and it was a need play and wish I had made a different substitution. [5:18] But you've just got to get on to the next play. [5:22] And that, to me, is that a hallmark of poise. [5:25] That's a hallmark of composure. [5:27] We certainly had a lot of discussions both on the court and in timeouts [5:32] about correcting some things. [5:35] You know, we probably made more mistakes tonight as a group [5:40] and not just, you know, the players. [5:42] I mean, myself included. [5:43] We probably made more mistakes tonight. [5:45] It's tough to win on the road in the playoffs. [5:47] And, again, even without KD, they're a great basketball team. [5:50] And that was a huge test for us, especially in that moment when we're down six. [5:56] There's plenty of the things that Marcus Smart does [6:00] that are in the context of what you guys ask him to do as a coaching staff. [6:04] But the stuff he does like that, shooting the gap to get the steal [6:07] with 30 rebounds, leading to two free throws to go up for an overtime. [6:14] I imagine that's just him, right? [6:16] And what's it like having a player that has that extra something to his game? [6:22] Right. [6:23] I mean, he's a winner. [6:23] He makes winning plays. [6:25] Obviously, the steal was huge. [6:26] You know, the two plays in overtime that really got us the lead [6:32] and kind of kept us in control of the overtime were on offensive rebounds. [6:37] And that was, you know, Smart got one where he gets fouled. [6:40] He's chucking the board. [6:43] He ends up getting a layup on that play. [6:45] So as much as we, you know, we have emphasized their offensive rebounding, [6:50] we also want to crash. [6:53] We also want to get extra possessions. [6:54] And those two guys made two of the biggest plays of the night. [6:57] JJ, your 41-year-old, I think, sat for one minute and 53 seconds in the second half tonight. [7:05] We talk a lot about his competitive stamina, but just his stamina tonight. [7:10] What did you kind of make of his sort of performance, his physicality, [7:14] and his ability to kind of weather all of that stuff tonight? [7:17] He had enough left in the tank. [7:19] And I think defensively, both on the glass and just mandatory early, [7:45] earlier than I normally would, you know, to get a break. [7:49] And then I used the use it or lose it at 3.30. [7:52] So we all felt comfortable. [7:54] We were having dialogue, obviously, with Mike and LeBron. [7:56] So we all felt comfortable that he could sort of go the distance. [8:00] But, again, I always talk about the preparation that goes into this for greatness. [8:05] And he's the ultimate at just preparing his body to play at a high level. [8:34] Okay. [8:35] Well, I think it's a number of the plays I already mentioned. [8:38] You know, it's the rotations. [8:42] It's – I think there were three jump balls in the last, you know, minute or so [8:47] and then a couple in overtime. [8:49] So it's like everything that we needed to do, even when it wasn't pretty, [8:55] we just kind of found a way to do it. [8:57] And, you know, we're playing hard. [9:01] I mean, that's – you have to do that to put yourself in a position to win. [9:06] There's some things we can execute better. [9:08] But I thought from the beginning of the game, we played with a sense of desperation [9:12] and we played like a team that was, you know, that was down, as did they. [9:18] They played a great game as well, a hard-fought game. [9:21] And I thought we matched that. [9:24] JJ, you've talked a lot about kind of leadership from all of your players. [9:27] But I'm wondering what it looks like in the huddle on the sideline when you have [9:33] players like LeBron and Marcus who are so experienced and it's a tight game. [9:37] It seems like everyone on this team is just calm and poised all the time [9:41] because you guys have players like those guys. [9:43] Yeah. [9:44] I mean, you've got to have guys that have been in those moments before. [9:46] I think the – whatever you want to call it, the instructions, whether it's a need play, [9:55] whatever, the instructions, you know, we make them clear. [10:00] Those guys echo it. [10:02] Everybody kind of knows what we're supposed to be doing. [10:04] And I think there's a – I mean, we've been in so many of these games, you know, [10:10] particularly in the last couple months. [10:12] We're not going to win them all, but, you know, we've found a way to win a number of [10:18] these games, and I think our group has the experience in these moments. [10:23] JJ, at the pregame news conference, when a reporter asked you about the dunk from [10:28] last game from LeBron, and you said there's another dunk. [10:32] Well, when you saw the game like this, especially from LeBron, rolling over to grab the rebounds [10:39] and I guess the last shot to get you guys to the overtime, do you think it's just another [10:44] game for LeBron? [10:46] No, I always appreciate and don't take for granted what he's able to do. [10:53] It's – you know, I guess I've known him now 26 years, and I've watched him play for [11:00] 26 years. [11:00] We met when we were both about 15 or 16 years old, so always, always enjoy it. [11:07] Always enjoy it. [11:07] JJ, before the audit, when you had conversations with Marcus about being back in the playoffs, [11:14] how much could you see he's going to be back in this? [11:17] It's been since, what, 2023 since he's been in the playoffs? [11:20] Well, I just could tell from our initial conversation that his – there was an excitement [11:28] level when that word was even mentioned, you know? [11:31] I think he – you know, we've talked a lot about guys like Luka or Steph or LeBron being [11:41] on the stage and being a showman. [11:43] And I think there's an element with Smart of that as well. [11:45] And I think it's the competitive stage that he really craves and really thrives in. [11:52] Thank you. [11:53] Coach, I know the game just ended, but in terms of the way the game just fell apart at the [12:08] end, how was it from your vantage point? [12:13] Horrendous mistakes. [12:14] I don't know if you want to say youth or, you know, scared of the moment or whatever [12:18] case, but, yeah, you have a six-point lead with 20 or 30 seconds to go, get a rebound [12:24] and just have to hold the ball and get fouled or, you know, it's basically a one-on-four [12:29] and throw it away to combat it, make it worse, foul, a terrible foul on Marcus Smart to give [12:36] him three free throws. [12:37] Next play, backcourt, you got it. [12:40] Doubles coming. [12:41] You try to split it instead of throwing it to Alpi wide open. [12:44] Another turnover. [12:45] And then James makes a tough shot. [12:46] Then the final play for the last shot, we don't run what was drawn up, all of the above. [12:54] Do you think what happened there late in the fourth quarter impacted your team early in [12:58] overtime? [12:59] I don't know about that. [13:00] I think, I mean, it was the 11-7, so, you know, they made some shots. [13:03] We missed a few, but, no, we kind of, I think we moved on, put that behind us. [13:07] You know, we still had a chance and did well enough to build that six-point lead, but, no, [13:12] it was like, okay, we messed that up. [13:13] Let's go get one. [13:15] What was the play that you had designed for the final shot of the game? [13:19] Elbow isolation for Alprin. [13:25] And on that read turnover, did you think that more guys should have been there closer to [13:29] the backcourt for him, or did you think that space was a lot? [13:31] Alpi's wide open across half court. [13:33] He got James on his hip, not even on his hip, and then Hachimur's coming to double. [13:38] He tried to split it instead of just throwing to Alpi at half court, where you clear everybody [13:41] out so you can get a run and take some time off, and if they have to come double from there, [13:46] you got your guys wide open, your outlets. [13:48] Coach, obviously, this is a make-or-miss league, but I think you guys took almost 20 more shots [13:52] than the Lakers over the course of this series. [13:53] That's been the prevailing theme. [13:55] How do you assess, you know, the failure to convert these shots, and how do you correct that? [14:00] I mean, getting great looks, a bunch of threes tonight, same thing happened. [14:04] You know, we're without double teams. [14:07] Anytime we get Alpern rolling down the lane, good things happen. [14:10] Anytime we touch the paint, kick-outs are there, and not knocking them down on a high [14:13] clip, it happens. [14:15] Guarded well enough. [14:15] They had a 17 point after the first quarter. [14:18] They scored 24 in the second, 17 in the third, and 15 in the fourth until that last six points. [14:24] It's good enough to win. [14:25] Make-or-miss, still had the lead, still had the opportunity. [14:29] Kevin wasn't on the bench. [14:30] Why? [14:31] Getting treatment. [14:37] E-Man, how much did the lack of bench production hurt you guys today? [14:39] Yeah, it was there. [14:41] I think, you know, we didn't have a ton. [14:44] They obviously got more off their bench, but, you know, with the timeouts and the time of [14:48] the season, and we got our guys enough rest there, and obviously they played well enough [14:53] to build a lead and sustain it. [14:55] Just had the mistakes at the end, so it hurts probably overall that you want to get your [14:58] guys a little more of a break and not have to run them in the fourth quarter. [15:01] But that unit obviously played very well, and like I said, guarded extremely well. [15:05] And, you know, he had enough to get it, regardless of what the bench was doing. [15:09] Some guys are banged up as well. [15:12] You know, despite the loss, Chapari had one of his best games of his career. [15:15] Just what did you see from him as far as just overall, and just his overall fight throughout [15:19] the game? [15:19] It was great. [15:20] Aggressive. [15:21] Didn't pass up shots. [15:22] You know, hunting and shots. [15:23] Being very active. [15:24] He had some, you know, fouls at third. [15:26] Went hurt a little bit. [15:27] You know, fouling up at Norton near half court when you already have two, but played with [15:31] the fouls. [15:31] Still was aggressive, and obviously it was, you know, very impactful overall. [15:37] Hell of a job by him playing with those fouls. [15:40] Coach, just kind of what was your general messaging to the guys after this loss, now down [15:45] 0-3 in the locker room? [15:47] You know, grow up, and you're not that young anymore. [15:50] You've been to the playoffs once, and we watched every situation just now. [15:56] How tough is it when, you know, throughout the season, you kind of had these situations where [16:00] the games that slipped away from y'all late in fourth quarters, and you kind of talked [16:03] about, you know, what it takes to kind of close these games out and to have it pop up [16:06] in a situation like this once again? [16:08] Yeah, I mean, it's obviously a weakness of ours to close out and finish. [16:12] You know, the amount of mistakes or the type of mistakes are egregious, and you can't [16:16] have those, and, you know, I don't talk about age all the time, but, you know, I'm not [16:21] talking about 23, 22, whatever it is. [16:23] I'm looking at five years, four years, three years in the league, and growing from there, [16:26] and not, you know, learning from previous experiences. [16:28] And so, you know, that was the case there, you know, and I stressed to him, man, go get [16:34] the ball, you're the point guard. [16:36] He was drifting away when the turnover happened, and make the simple play, and run the plays [16:40] that we call, and so all of the above. [16:42] I mean, like you said, and then, you know, the foul by Jayshon not being the young guy [16:46] was not a good foul on Smart, you know, and so just down the line, pretty much everybody [16:51] at the end. [16:53] You guys went from a chance to have a 2-1 series, 2-3-0, no team has ever come back [16:56] from 3-0. [16:57] How are you feeling? [16:58] How was the team feeling after the game? [16:59] I mean, disappointed with the ending. [17:01] Some good things before that, like I said, 24, 20, 17, and 15 until that six-point, you [17:07] know, stretch that they had. [17:10] So you're doing some good things with the opportunity, but now you got to go get one [17:14] on Sunday, and don't let this one beat you twice. [17:17] Reid didn't have a particularly good game. [17:19] How do you get him to bounce back in game four? [17:22] I think his aggressiveness was good. [17:24] You know, he missed shots, you know, and then, you know, we need that from him. [17:29] The threat was there. [17:31] You know, I'd rather him take some of those shots, the open shots that he has, and, you [17:35] know, we believe in the shooting, and so too many times other guys passed up open looks [17:39] that we didn't have to take, and, you know, get much better. [17:41] So struggled a little bit shooting there. [17:43] You know, they went after him on the defensive end with Smart and Hachimura in the post some. [17:47] They had, you know, broke us down, you know, into rotations a little bit, but growing experience [17:51] for him, and I'm glad he stayed aggressive and confident. [17:54] Are you optimistic or hopeful about Kevin in game four? [17:58] Is that status still very much up in the air? [18:00] Yeah, up in the air. [18:01] I think we made some progress in the last few days, but we'll see how that happens, you [18:05] know, with only one day in between. [18:08] Coach, it seemed like there were a few times where the Lakers extended their defensive [18:10] shell, and there was no one in the paint, but you guys were able to get success going [18:13] downhill. [18:14] In terms of applying that for game four, is it a pace thing or aggression thing in terms [18:19] of how to capitalize on some of those different defensive coverages? [18:22] Yeah, we want to play with more pace, and I feel we've done that, you know, in this [18:26] game and game one, you know, getting out and getting these opportunities, getting guys [18:29] downhill or getting the kickouts. [18:31] Like I said, anytime the ball touches the paint or just the threat of Alper and rolling [18:35] has led to good things for us. [18:37] But, yeah, they're guarding more traditional outside of Kevin, and so we can get some looks [18:43] and dial up some things that get you decent shots and actions. [18:47] Thank you. [18:48] Jabari, obviously, you know, the game has ended. [19:03] The emotions are kind of high, but how would you assess how you guys fought and, [19:06] and looking forward to game four? [19:09] We fought. [19:10] We had left it all out there, played good enough to win, get ready for game four. [19:19] That kind of sequence with 25 seconds left, I guess, what was your vantage point, I guess, [19:23] on, on your turnover that kind of started that? [19:25] I got a dribble the ball up the floor. [19:27] He kind of stung it at me like he was coming, and he went back, and I tried to lob it over [19:30] him. [19:31] Just got a dribble the ball up the floor. [19:35] How were you able to get in such a rhythm and be so effective so early in the game tonight? [19:39] Yeah, I was feeling good. [19:43] I mean, it was kind of like a, felt like a must-win game. [19:47] You know, I kind of liked those moments. [19:50] I was open, you know. [19:52] Teammates was finding me. [19:53] Offense was flowing, and yeah, I just made shots. [19:57] How disappointing was it that y'all had that good lead there late, and you weren't able [20:01] to close it out, and how are you able to bounce back from that to play well on Sunday? [20:06] I mean, it's very, very disappointing. [20:11] So, definitely a terrible feeling, but from here on out, we got to win. [20:14] Every game is game seven, and, you know, got to dig deep, find it, win four in a row. [20:21] Jibar, what was the big difference in the third and fourth quarters you guys were able [20:25] to hold him in terms of what you did defensively? [20:28] Just game plan stuff. [20:29] We switched some stuff up, and we were sticking to the game plan. [20:34] A lot of switching and trapping and rotating, and, you know, it worked for us. [20:38] We were flying around, and we was finishing possessions with rebounds. [20:42] Mario, how tough is it just to have a game end like this when, you know, late-game execution [20:46] has been something you guys have been talking about all year and trying to find a way to improve? [20:50] Yeah, I mean, it's this thing. [20:52] Like, it's, I don't really know how to explain it. [20:55] Just very, very careless by me. [20:59] Just can't happen, you know what I'm saying? [21:01] You kind of lose a game, and you try to look at what we did wrong, what we can fix, [21:05] but, I mean, we did all the right things to win the game. [21:07] And we finished the game right. [21:09] It's just 30 seconds, bad turnover, and then the energy kind of drops, and, you know, things happen. [21:17] Coach talked about you all, the young group at age, what experience in the league. [21:22] How do you all rally around each other to bounce back in game four? [21:26] I mean, we're all in it together, you know what I'm saying? [21:29] Nobody was perfect down the stretch. [21:31] Nobody was perfect in overtime. [21:32] I just got to lean on each other, lean on my brothers to pick each other up and, you know, bounce back. [21:38] Life goes on. [21:40] We heard a little from Emei about what he told you guys after the game you guys rewatched. [21:43] What stood out to you about the postgame, and what did you guys say to each other as teammates? [21:47] I mean, it's just kind of like a, use it as a growing point in all of it. [21:55] Right now, everybody's pretty pissed off. [21:59] Everybody's trying to stay positive, you know what I'm saying, get ready for the next game. [22:02] It was going to be a quick turnaround, you know, watched it, what we could learn from it. [22:06] And, you know, but wholly the locker room was very, very positive and just flush it and try to get ready for the next game. [22:14] What did you think about Alpy's performance bouncing back after those two games at L.A.? [22:18] I mean, he was Alpy. [22:20] I've seen him do it plenty of times. [22:21] I'm not surprised by how good he played. [22:22] I'm not surprised by the aggression he had, the defense. [22:25] I'm not surprised by none of it. [22:26] I've seen it all before. [22:27] That's what we expect from him, and he showed it tonight. [22:31] Jabbar, what are some of the things that you all can do maybe to help read on the defensive end? [22:37] It seemed like the Lakers were trying to, you know, pick him out early on in the game. [22:43] Yeah, you just try to build your defense behind him. [22:49] Tell him to not bail out on the ball. [22:51] Tell him to guard the ball for a little bit. [22:52] His help is on the way. [22:53] His help is coming. [22:54] And, you know, try to rotate behind it. [22:56] But, I mean, every team has bad defenders. [22:58] Every team has people who need help and need different coverages. [23:01] So, he's not the only one. [23:03] We have different ways to rotate behind it and, you know, help him out. [23:07] You know what I'm saying? [23:07] And we did that in the second half in the third and fourth quarter. [23:10] So, you know, there's ways around it. [23:12] But, yeah, just know that we're there for him. [23:15] The trap is coming. [23:15] The help is coming. [23:16] And we all rotate. [23:17] And we're ready for it. [23:19] Jabbar, it seems like a theme of you over the last two years is your consistency in these playoff games. [23:24] But is there a way for you to even be more aggressive? [23:26] Obviously, you guys are down 3-0 and they need every shot from you as possible. [23:30] But how can you be even more aggressive going into a must-win situation? [23:34] Yeah, not turning down those shots. [23:36] Be aggressive. [23:38] Crash the glass more. [23:39] Push the transition. [23:41] And just know that this team needs me to be aggressive. [23:43] This team needs me to score the basketball. [23:44] This team needs me to draw attention to, you know, something of defense to worry about. [23:51] And I know that. [23:52] You know what I'm saying? [23:53] And then I just try to be as aggressive as possible and just make the defense pay for double-teaming people and just know they've got to guard 10 every night. [24:04] Appreciate it. [24:27] Reed, can you take us through your vantage point on that turnover late? [24:30] And how difficult was it for you guys to be up late and come away with a loss in this game? [24:36] Well, obviously, it sucks. [24:42] You know, we had the game and gave them six points, two turnovers, a foul, and then they hit a good three. [24:50] But, no, I mean, it was a stupid turnover. [24:56] Alpy's man came up. [24:57] I should have hit Alpy right left of right over half court and just made the simple play. [25:02] I tried to split the two defenders and, yeah, just got it backed up. [25:08] But, you know, you're obviously an excellent free-throw shooter. [25:12] Was part of trying to dribble up the floor to keep the ball and be the guy to go to the line? [25:17] I mean, that was not going through my head. [25:19] I was just trying to get over half court and waste as much time as I could by dribbling. [25:25] I wasn't worried about who was going to the free-throw line and trusting anyone to go to the free-throw line and make free-throws. [25:31] Reed, obviously, this is the first time you've been super involved in the playoff series. [25:40] But is that part of the experience that you kind of have to go through, you know, to get to these moments and succeed? [25:45] I mean, no. [25:51] I don't. [25:52] I've played basketball long enough. [25:56] You know, dribbling up the court with 30 seconds left is dribbling up the court with 30 seconds left. [26:02] You know, there's never an excuse of he hasn't been in a playoff game. [26:06] He hasn't been in that environment. [26:08] It doesn't matter. [26:09] It's simple basketball. [26:12] I mean, I should have made the right play, not turned it over. [26:16] That was the one thing that could beat us was a turnover and a three in that situation. [26:19] So, no, I think just, yeah. [26:26] Second half that allowed you to just start getting more stops defensively and just do a better job on that end? [26:31] Just being physical, communicating, playing hard. [26:35] You know, that was the biggest thing was just effort and intensity. [26:38] And, you know, we did that really good in the second half. [26:41] And I think in the fourth they had 15 points until those last six at the end with 30 seconds. [26:47] So, we guarded well, put ourselves in a great position to win, and then did what we did. [26:55] Reed, the Lakers have kind of made it a point to really go after you defensively in the series so far. [27:00] Just kind of how do you think you've held up on that end of the floor to this point in the series? [27:05] I mean, there's obviously a ton of room for improvement. [27:09] Keep getting stronger. [27:11] Keep learning the game, reading the game. [27:14] I mean, there's been some good plays, some bad plays. [27:17] But, you know, at the end of the day, just keep fighting. [27:20] Keep fighting and trying to be as physical as I can and just make the right play and be the best I can. [27:28] How much have you had to adjust trying to get off shots? [27:32] Because seeing what they're trying to run you off the three-point line or jumping screens or doing whatever they can to keep you from getting open threes. [27:39] Yeah, it's just seeing what they give you and trying to make the right play, shoot the right shots. [27:49] And, yeah, just, yeah. [27:53] What did the coaches say to you guys after the game? [27:54] And what were you guys saying to each other in the locker room? [27:57] We watched some film over the last 30 seconds, 45 seconds. [28:04] Trying to, I mean, obviously you've got to watch it and you've got to learn from it. [28:07] You know, it sucks having to watch and rerun it and go through it and talk about it. [28:14] But, you know, that's part of it. [28:16] That's part of getting over and getting better. [28:19] So that was pretty much the main point. [28:22] And then, you know, talking to ourselves and each other is, all right, now we've got to go win four in a row, get back and win the series. [28:33] Reed, you had 21 shot attempts tonight. [28:34] Coach said that there were some shots that you should have taken and he felt like you should have shot them. [28:40] Going into game four, do you feel like that you will shoot the ball that many attempts again? [28:47] I mean, if they're open and they're good shots, you know, but, I mean, to say I'm going to shoot that many, I don't know. [28:56] But to come out and be aggressive and look for my shot and look to be able to get my teammates involved and make the right play, yes. [29:05] Talk about, you know, playing basketball. [29:07] You've played, of course, since you were smaller. [29:10] How do you flush this game out of your system and going into game four and not even think about what went on in this game? [29:16] Yeah. [29:17] You know, watch film and, you know, think about it when you wake up in the morning. [29:26] Try not to think about it. [29:27] Go shoot. [29:28] Go do what you do. [29:30] You know, you can still watch some film tomorrow. [29:35] And then by that night, you've got to get it out of your system, flush it. [29:41] And when you wake up Sunday for game day, it's all about game four. [29:47] That's in the past. [29:48] And, you know, you're focused on doing what you can do and being the most prepared for this game that you can be [29:56] and just going out there and playing with a lot of confidence and intensity and be physical. [30:01] And, yeah. [30:03] Reed, how tough is the adjustment to, you know, be able to lean on KD for most of the season [30:07] and then, you know, in these moments like this, I understand the injury, just not having him available. [30:11] How tough is that adjustment just, you know, with him? [30:14] Yeah. [30:14] I mean, obviously, you know, it is different when he's not on the floor. [30:19] You know, he's a tremendous scorer and draws so much attention to himself when he's out there from the other team. [30:26] And, you know, it sucks that he's not out there. [30:30] But, you know, we still have what we need. [30:33] We have enough talent. [30:34] We have enough guys that can get it going. [30:39] Yeah. [30:40] But, no, it definitely sucks not having him out there. [30:43] But, at the end of the day, you know, it's our job is to go out there and fight and compete and win. [30:49] So, it's what we've got to do the next four. [30:51] Thanks. [30:52] We've talked to you just about this before. [31:16] Having missed the playoffs since, what, 2023? [31:20] Now that you're back in it, what does this feel like? [31:22] How much are you looking forward to this? [31:25] Oh, every day. [31:26] You know, this is, you know, when you're sitting at home on your couch. [31:30] As a kid growing up, you're watching the playoffs. [31:32] This is what you dream of being involved in, one of those games, right? [31:36] And then to not be in the playoffs, you know, the last two to three years for me, it just sucked. [31:42] You know, I got to watch some good basketball. [31:45] And it's just like, damn, I'm a competitor. [31:47] I want to be out there playing, too. [31:48] So, to be back out there, it's a great feeling. [31:52] Marcus, you guys are down six with 27 seconds to go in regulation. [31:57] You were able to get a steal and then quickly turn it into a free throw opportunity. [32:01] What did you see and how were you able to make that play out there? [32:04] Just make a play. [32:05] My instincts, right? [32:06] You know, we knew that, you know, they were going to try to, you know, ice the game, right? [32:12] And we needed to make a play. [32:14] And just using my instincts, you know, Jabari Smith, I think it was him who made the pass. [32:18] And I just kind of stunned it to see what he does. [32:20] He picked his dribble up, and now he's in no man's land, and he threw a loft pass for me to recover, and I got it. [32:28] And as I looked up the clock, I seen, you know, Tate running really fast. [32:31] And I'm like, okay, he's probably not going to be able to stop in time. [32:36] So, I just pulled up right away, and he ran right under me, exactly what happened. [32:39] So, it was a smart play. [32:41] You know, that's part of my vet, me being a vet and my vet savvy, been in the league for 12 years. [32:47] I picked up some tricks from some guys, right? [32:49] So, that helped us a lot. [32:54] Marcus, Jackson just said in the other room, you know, it feels like you guys are playing every game as if it's your last game right now. [33:01] What does that kind of mentality mean to you to hear that from, you know, a younger teammate like that, [33:05] and kind of you guys build back a way to win this game when it seemed fairly unlikely under him? [33:11] Love it. [33:12] I mean, I've been talking to the guys, you know, since I got here. [33:15] You know, you got to leave it all on the court, you know, because you never know. [33:19] And, you know, that's been my motto since I got in this league, just play and leave it all on the court, [33:24] because you never know it can be taken away at any given moment, right? [33:27] And with two of our best players down, we got to play desperate. [33:31] We got to be the most desperate team, and that's how we've been playing. [33:33] And that's how we win it, right? [33:36] The chemistry is being built because of that, and you're starting to see guys' confidence go up because of that. [33:42] Marcus, obviously the Rockets are going to come out desperate in game four to avoid elimination, [33:45] but you guys have an opportunity to win on Sunday, advance in the second round. [33:50] Do you even allow yourself to think about what advancing in four would do for you guys, [33:54] whether it's Luca and Austin? [33:56] So I guess what was the message from JJ in that regard for Sunday? [34:02] Got one more. [34:03] It's not over. [34:04] We got one more. [34:05] And we're in their home, and nobody wants to get embarrassed in their home. [34:09] And, you know, we got them in a nail-biter tonight, so it's one more. [34:14] You know, we can't worry about what happens after that because we've got to take care of that. [34:18] So we'll worry about that after the game. [34:20] Right now, Sunday is the only thing on our mind. [34:22] Marcus, there was a – right here we go. [34:24] There was a play in overtime where LeBron and Shangoon fought for the ball on the floor, [34:29] and it was a jump ball, and both of them kind of laid down there just exhausted, like, from a tough game. [34:34] And it was a 41-year-old who came out from there and won the tip. [34:37] But, you know, seeing a guy who's the oldest guy on the team, oldest guy in the league, [34:41] what does that mean to you for him to come out from that play [34:45] and be able to win the jump ball and then obviously winning the game afterwards? [34:48] I mean, the motherfucker been in this 23 years, right? [34:52] We know he's going to come up with that ball, right? [34:55] So it's not a surprise for us, even though, you know, he's 41 doing it. [34:59] He's been doing this for a very long time. [35:01] And like I said before, he's one of, if not the greatest player doing this, right? [35:04] But we knew at that given time, game on the line, who was coming up with that ball for us. [35:10] And we pride ourselves on that. [35:11] And, yeah, he laid down there for a minute. [35:13] He wasn't tired. [35:14] It was more so to just gather his thoughts and get ready to go win it for us. [35:24] Hi, Marcus. [35:24] Did you have talked to our season about, like, the mindset of bad but not break? [35:28] How do you think this win for a guy is important? [35:30] Like, you have 3-0 on the road, and how does it leverage your resilience to another level? [35:34] Oh, man, you know, for us, we're just trying to have that killer mentality right now. [35:39] You know, we got him on the ropes, and it's our job to try to finish. [35:42] It's their job to fight back. [35:44] And that's been J.J.'s motto all year, you know, being don't break. [35:47] And I think we really took that, you know, to the head for us. [35:51] You know, we lived it. [35:52] We instilled it into us. [35:53] And you see that the way we play these three games, right? [35:57] But we got to be like a lion. [35:59] You know, we got to have that killer instinct. [36:01] You know, we got him on the ground. [36:02] We just got to finish him off and keep our foot on the neck. [36:05] Thank you, guys. [36:22] Alpi, after the first two games of the series, you got a lot of criticism. [36:27] How much of it did you hear, and how nice was it to have the performance you did tonight? [36:32] You know, it wasn't enough. [36:36] I mean, I guess I could do more. [36:40] Some defense positions, some missed shots still, some helps. [36:45] I mean, you know, I still did a good job. [36:51] But, you know, like I said, it wasn't enough. [36:53] So I got to come better Sunday. [36:58] That final play of regulation there, you may say you guys didn't run the play that you wanted. [37:02] What did you want, and why did it go awry, I guess? [37:06] So they got a deflection in the first position, and then we got the ball in the half court. [37:12] So it was kind of different. [37:14] Normally, I was getting the ball in the elbow and play. [37:17] But it was a difficult situation. [37:21] They got the deflection, and then a man got the ball in the other court. [37:26] So that's why I step up, and, you know, I could have passed the Tari, but I rushed a little bit. [37:34] On Reid's turnover, it looked like you were kind of open there at midcourt, waving your arms. [37:39] I guess what could you see on that play? [37:40] It happens. [37:44] I guess he couldn't see. [37:45] He didn't see. [37:47] He was trying to beat the double team. [37:50] It happens, you know. [37:53] His first playoff expiration for Reid, and, you know, stuff going to happen. [37:59] He's going to grow. [38:00] I'm sure he's upset about it. [38:02] We're all upset about it. [38:03] But, you know, we have another game Sunday, so we cannot think about it. [38:07] It happens. [38:08] We're going to come back, watch the film, get better. [38:13] Alpi, what was kind of said in the locker room after this game? [38:17] What did you guys talk about? [38:18] Kind of what are the emotions like for you and the rest of the team right now? [38:21] Well, we watched the last positions, the two turnovers and two threes, [38:28] and then the last ball I was going to. [38:34] You know, we learn. [38:35] We watch. [38:36] We learn. [38:37] That's what Ima said. [38:38] You know, we're going to watch it. [38:39] We're going to learn. [38:40] Grow. [38:41] Grow together. [38:43] Yeah, that was it. [38:46] After a loss like this, what's the key to kind of, you know, [38:48] getting the emotions under control and bouncing back in game four? [38:52] Well, we'll be upset tonight. [38:54] That's for sure. [38:55] But we've got to get over this. [38:57] We have another game Sunday. [39:00] Series is an hour, you know. [39:01] We still believe in it. [39:02] We can come back and win Sunday and go to L.A. for the game fifth [39:08] and come back over here again. [39:10] That's what's the goal. [39:12] Nobody's giving up. [39:13] That's what we learned last three years. [39:16] And that's what we have inside of us. [39:19] And, you know, that's what we're going to do. [39:23] Albie, just from your perspective, how tough is it to lean on KD, you know, [39:26] all season long and unfortunately not have him, you know, [39:28] in these couple of games here in the playoffs? [39:30] Well, we've been fighting with the injuries for a long season. [39:34] You know, we lost our couple of players, but the goal never changed for us. [39:39] Whoever in the court, we have a lot of talent. [39:43] And somebody got to step up, and that's what we did today. [39:47] We fight out there. [39:48] You know, Jabari make big shots. [39:51] A man play amazing. [39:54] Reed makes good shots. [39:56] So, it happens. [39:58] Whoever in the court, we're going to play with them. [40:01] But, of course, not having our score, big score, you know, in the court is hard. [40:08] But, like I said, we cannot think about that. [40:11] And hopefully have him back Sunday. [40:14] You know, despite the tough loss you had your best game of the playoffs, [40:18] do you feel like there's some things you were able to figure out, [40:20] the type of defense they were running at you that you can maybe use in game four? [40:24] What do you mean? [40:26] I'm sorry. [40:26] As far as the type of defense they had been running against you in game one and two, [40:30] you were able to figure it out a little bit more this game. [40:32] Do you feel like that's something you can use in game four, you know, [40:34] to have another good game? [40:35] I mean, first two games, I was missing the shots I made today. [40:40] You know, that's what I do. [40:41] I make those shots. [40:43] And I was more dominant today in the paint, making the shots, not think about it. [40:49] Missing, making, doesn't matter. [40:51] That's what I do. [40:51] And that was my mental today, mentality today. [40:56] And it's going to be the same coming out to fourth game. [41:00] No team in NBA history has ever come back and won a series after going down 3-0. [41:05] Why could you guys be different? [41:07] Well, we believe in it. [41:09] We are warriors, you know. [41:11] And we have a lot of young players believe in each other, a lot of talents. [41:15] And everybody's seen it last two seasons. [41:18] We never give up. [41:19] So it happened in Golden State. [41:21] It was 3-1. [41:22] We bring it to game seven. [41:23] It happens. [41:24] And they have a good team. [41:25] But we're going to try to come back. [41:29] And I'm pretty sure nobody's giving up in this series. [41:32] We still believe in each other. [41:35] It's the last three games. [41:36] It's been close every game. [41:39] And like I said, we've got to come with the strong mental, mentality Sunday and win. [41:45] You know, 99.9% of NBA games are over at that point. [42:15] What can you take us through kind of, is it the poise, the experience, the first with Marcus and the steal on the three? [42:20] And then you with the steal. [42:21] Can you kind of just take us through those sequences? [42:23] Yeah, I mean, you know, the game is never over until zeroes on the clock, obviously. [42:27] And, you know, Marcus was able to get that steal. [42:32] Jay Sean fouled him for the three. [42:34] Made all three. [42:34] They called timeout. [42:36] And we went in with a game plan to, you know, not foul right away. [42:41] Try to make a play on the ball. [42:43] See if we can create a turnover. [42:45] Extend the game a little bit. [42:47] And I was able to get a back tap on Reed. [42:50] We kicked it up, fumbled the ball a little bit. [42:52] I tried to hit Luke for a three, but I kind of fumbled a little bit. [42:56] And they rotated him. [42:57] He threw it back to me, and I was able to tie it. [42:58] So, and then, you know, they came in with a game plan to get a ball to San Goon to win it. [43:06] And Jacks did a great job of high hands on that possession. [43:10] I was able to get a rebound and ultimately going into overtime. [43:13] So, we executed that game plan to a tee to even force overtime. [43:18] And then how do you keep composure going into the overtime itself? [43:22] You barely sat in the second half and just kind of continuing to will yourself to try and get a win. [43:27] Yeah, I mean, listen, we came that far. [43:30] So, you know, trying to see if I can make plays. [43:33] You know, obviously my presence on the floor, you know, is key for our ball club. [43:38] But, you know, I thought the guys did a great job, especially in overtime. [43:41] I thought Marcus was great in overtime. [43:43] Hit the three, you know, away from their bench. [43:46] I think Rui threw it over the top. [43:48] He hit the three. [43:49] He got to the free throw line, made free throws. [43:52] You know, and everybody kind of, you know, chipped in. [43:55] You know, it was just a gutty win for us. [43:58] Now, Marcus has missed the playoffs the last three seasons. [44:02] What do you think this means to him? [44:03] And what is he showing you guys what it means to be in the playoffs again? [44:07] Well, I can't speculate what it means to him. [44:09] That would be a question for Marcus. [44:11] I can't tell you what it, you know, try to decide what it means for him. [44:16] But I know what it means for me and for the ball club to have him. [44:20] And, you know, it's just his will, his competitive nature. [44:23] He's battle-tested, obviously, in his career. [44:26] I've went against him in multiple series. [44:28] So, you know, I know what he brings to the table. [44:30] And, you know, he continues to, you know, just kind of be that, you know, that even kill. [44:35] You know, like there's a lot of things that happen throughout the course of a postseason game [44:38] where you can be, you know, high or low. [44:42] But certain guys that's been battle-tested know how to stay even-keeled. [44:45] So, it's great to have one on your side. [44:49] Just as a guy who's done so much in the game, [44:53] how have you processed this challenge from April 2nd until now [44:57] to be out to your major horses, as you called them the other day, [45:02] and then had to kind of rework what you're going to do on the fly [45:06] with the most important games coming up? [45:10] Yeah, I mean, it's very challenging. [45:13] I mean, listen, we've built our team the way we wanted to play throughout the course of a season. [45:18] And, you know, obviously we had injuries throughout the course of the season, [45:21] but that helped. [45:21] That happens. [45:22] It's a long marathon, you know, and you hope that once you get to the sprint, [45:27] which is the postseason, that, you know, you have your horses [45:32] and everybody's in place and everybody has their role. [45:34] Everybody know what their roles are, and we try to play it to a T. [45:38] And, you know, obviously, you know, the last week of the season, [45:42] the last thing you will want or the last thing you even want to imagine or think about [45:45] is shit two of your best players going down with injuries [45:48] and not being ready for the postseason. [45:50] So it was a shift for all of us. [45:53] It's challenging for all of us. [45:54] It's challenging for me. [45:54] It's challenging for Marcus. [45:56] It's challenging for Luke. [45:57] I like it for everybody. [45:59] You know, there's only a couple guys' roles that kind of stayed the same. [46:02] And it's like, you know, Jackson, D.A., their roles stay the same. [46:05] But, you know, Bronny stepping in and, you know, playing, you know, meaningful minutes [46:09] and, you know, Jake and, you know, it's just like everybody who's getting those minutes off the bit, [46:14] everyone has to, you know, do a little bit more, you know, because of how much we're missing. [46:19] So, like I said, it's a challenge for all of us, and, you know, [46:22] we're just trying to figure it out together on the fly. [46:26] LeBron, you sat for, I think, one minute and 53 seconds, if my math is right, [46:31] in the second half of that game. [46:33] What were the conversations like with J.J. and the way he managed timeouts? [46:37] You were always, it looked like if there was a second to be had sitting down, [46:41] you would take it during those timeouts. [46:44] And how were you able to kind of keep your legs in the process? [46:50] I think it's just my, you know, preparing myself for these moments. [46:58] Obviously, you know, throughout the course of the game, you know, we were trying to, [47:01] I don't know, we were trying to find ways where I could get a break or whatever the case may be. [47:04] But, like, the game was so close, and it was like a possession game that, you know, [47:10] I felt like we could really turn the game to benefit us and win the game, you know. [47:18] And if that meant that I didn't get a break and I had to dig deep or deeper [47:22] without getting a break in order for us to possibly win a game and go up 3-0, [47:27] then so be it. [47:28] That's what it is. [47:29] We don't play tomorrow. [47:31] So I'll have an opportunity to rest all day tomorrow, rest as much as I can, [47:37] and just kind of just stay in the moment, and that's basically it. [47:41] LeBron, Jackson said postgame, you know, [47:43] it feels like the team's playing every game like it's their last of the year. [47:47] How have you guys kind of embodied that must-win mindset for every single time you get on the floor, [47:51] especially late in this game where you guys were down six with, like, 25 seconds to go? [47:57] I mean, what else are we going to do? [47:58] We don't have the luxury of, like, you know, thinking about maybe it's another game [48:04] or it's a game, you know, game six, game seven. [48:07] Like, our only mindset is, like, the next game. [48:10] Like, we have to be in the moment. [48:12] Like, we are not – I keep harping on it. [48:15] Like, we're missing some very important pieces to our ball club. [48:19] Like, very important. [48:21] Just thinking of the landscape of the postseason, [48:25] I don't know if there's any other team that's missing their top two players, [48:28] top two scores. [48:29] I know Embiid is out, right? [48:32] For Philly. [48:33] I know J-Dub just hurt his hamstring again, unfortunately. [48:38] Yeah, Embiid. [48:43] Yeah, I think that's so, like, that's the last thing you will want [48:47] is any of your guys, you know, going down at this point in the season. [48:51] So, we don't have the luxury of, like, being passive or being complacent. [48:58] Like, we don't have the luxury to do that. [49:01] So, our whole mindset is, like, we have to do everything it takes [49:05] in that particular game, in that particular moment, [49:07] in that particular possession in order for us to win basketball games. [49:10] Because our – we don't have a long leash of error. [49:14] We don't have a lot. [49:15] We don't have a lot for error. [49:18] LeBron, you said how surreal and crazy it was to just be in a playoff game [49:21] with Bronny in front of your mom and your wife. [49:26] To throw an alley-oop to him and see him finish it [49:29] and see him, you know, kind of get, like, five points in five minutes [49:31] in that flurry today. [49:32] How did that feel to be on the court, the first father-son – [49:35] sorry, father-to-son assist in playoff history? [49:41] There's, like, many moments that happened throughout the course of the game. [49:46] Like, in the postseason game, I'm always, like, super locked in. [49:52] And over the last, like, three games, there's been, like, many moments [49:55] where I'm kind of locked out, if that makes sense. [49:59] And all those moments have been with Bronny. [50:01] You know, and it's, like – it's just keeping him better and better. [50:05] It's, like, wild. [50:05] You know, and for him to come in, you know, you see the five points, [50:11] but his attention to detail, his defensive mindset, [50:15] his prowess on the ball, guarding, defending. [50:18] And then when they decided to go far removed underneath his pick and roll [50:24] that I was setting, for him to be confident in his work that he's put in [50:28] to step up and make that shot and then run the floor [50:30] and be able to catch that lob. [50:31] But, you know, every moment – not just him, but, like, young players, [50:37] you get – I was talking to Dan. [50:40] I was, like, like, the amount of confidence that a young kid in our league [50:46] can get from a postseason game, it's, like, a regular season game would never – [50:51] you would never get nervous from a regular season moment ever again [50:54] when you play meaningful postseason games and postseason minutes. [50:58] And he's done that, and I think that's just pretty cool for his career, [51:07] for his confidence. [51:08] I mean, shit, I've done enough. [51:11] Appreciate it. [51:18] How do you spell that? [51:19] That's a good quote. [51:20] Thank you.