Steve Kerr, Warriors players react to stunning win vs. Clippers
Steph Curry, Al Horford, Kristaps Porziņģis and more speak to reporters after Golden State's 126-121 play-in win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday night.
Steve Kerr, Warriors players react to stunning win vs. Clippers originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
Video Transcript
Steve, hey Steve.
How would you describe Steph and Draymond down the stretch there tonight?
I- I- I've been watching them for 12 years.
You know, there's a reason we've, we have four championships, and it's the competitives, competitiveness, the heart, the, the will.
and, you know, just it's been such a tough year, but to just show, you know, what they're made of, what we're made of, and there were, you know, a lot of guys, who came through.
So, obviously, the spotlight is on them because of everything they've accomplished.
But, I just told them it was You know, with, with all the wins we've ever had here, w- a lot of them with a lot more at stake, this is right up there.
just because, you know, of where we are in our age and our, you know, the, the decline of our performance this year, the injuries, it was just a display of Just a beautiful display of competitive will, and this is why Steph came back.
So everybody out there who thought Steph should have taken the rest of the year off, this is what he does.
This is who he is.
If he can compete, he's going to compete, and it was just incredible to watch.
You, you talked pregame about kind of the unspoken understanding, you know, y'all are, are near the end.
How much, you know, down the stretch, are you kind of thinking about that, and when you're celebrating, thinking about at least enjoying a night like this one more time?
Just all, all I'm thinking about is how proud I am of the guys, to really show what they're made of and, the fact that we're still alive.
You know, we, we've got to go to Phoenix now and try to get another one and, you know, get ourselves in the, in the playoffs.
but I- more than anything, I'm just so proud of the guy We, we must have been down double figures five, six separate times, and we, we came back every single time we made a run.
It was such an incredible display of guts and, and competitiveness and, connection.
And obviously, Steph and Dray kind of took over down the stretch.
Dray's defense, he's the best defender I've ever seen in my life.
It's just insane what he does out there.
The job he did on Kawhi, I thought our, our coaches did a really good job with the game plan to, to blitz Kawhi and try to, try to put a crowd around him.
And so the preparation was good, and the players really followed through.
And for one night, you know, w- we're, we're us.
We're champions again, you know, and I know that's, that may sound crazy to everybody out there.
It's a play-in game.
I don't care.
It's just absolutely beautiful to watch.
Steve, you kind of answered some of it, but 21 points in 40 minutes for Kawhi with Draymond draped over him all night long.
What was What were you seeing possession by possession from Draymond out there?
Well, Draymond, I think, is, is probably as well-suited to guard Kawhi as any player in the league because of his strength and his brains and, his ability to de- defend without fouling.
and then I thought our, our guys did a really good job of, of helping and, and blitzing and just trying to make, make things crowded for him.
Kawhi's been one of the best players in the league now for the last couple months.
He's just been incredible, so we knew we had to make things difficult for him.
and I thought we did as, as good a job as we, we could have.
but Draymond obviously is the guy who allows for that game plan to work just because he can fight through every screen.
He's so strong.
He's so quick, gets back in front, and then just absolutely brilliant mind for defensive angles.
And he, he seems to be in, in, in place before the other nine guys on the floor over and over again.
We can kind of go down the list here of guys who just came up with big performances, but I'll start with, like, Al Horford.
what did, what did he do in that fourth quarter to kind of unlock himself and hit those three straight three-pointers?
I thought what Al did tonight is one of the most difficult things to do in sports, is when you're having a rough night through three quarters, to just flip it and all of a sudden start draining shots and making defensive plays.
And, he completely turned, his own performance around.
And, it was kind of a perfect, one-two punch with Kristaps and Al tonight.
Kristaps kept us in the game, with his scoring, his passing, blocked a couple shots.
and then when it was Al's turn to come in, the way he just, flipped a switch from, from what was a cold night to knocking down all those shots, the big three to give us the lead, Al was absolutely brilliant.
Steve, minutes restrictions can sort of become minutes suggestions when you're- I'm sorry.
I can't hear you.
Minutes restrictions can sort of become minutes suggestions when you're fighting for your playoff lives.
But now that you have this quick turnaround to Phoenix, for guys like Steph, for Al Horford, who came up big, for Kristaps, what, what does this look like, and is this about where you wanted them?
Was this a little bit higher?
Yeah.
I mean, it, it's a quick turnaround, but this is, Look, we finished 10th.
You know, we're lucky to even be here.
If this were seven or eight years ago, we would be on vacation already.
So, I want to thank the league for creating the play-in tournament.
Thank you, Adam.
and we're just, we're just happy to have a shot.
You know, give us a chance, and we've always felt that way.
Just give us a chance, and, somehow we were offered an opportunity after what was a really difficult season.
And you saw what our guys are made of tonight, and we'll see what we can, can do on Friday.Steve, you said, right here, you said yesterday this felt like the first meaningful game in- Yeah a long time, like a year.
Yeah.
And you probably know to some extent what you're getting from Steph and Draymond, but in the first meaningful game in so long, to get that, not just from Al and Kristaps, but for Gee and Brandon, who haven't really played much on this sta- you know, any postseason stage- Yeah to, for everybody to sort of come through like that- Yeah what does that mean to you, not just to get you to Friday, but to- Yeah carry, carry into the future?
I mean, it's why I'm smiling up here, you know?
It's why I, I'm just, so elated with, what I witnessed just now.
Just absolutely beautiful.
so many guys, every guy came in.
I thought Melt was, was really good at both ends and, and, you know, Gee scoring 20 points, he's a plus 16 out there.
BP giving us 40 minutes, he has to because of our age and, you know, the injury situation and, you know, just wonderful to, to see the group connected and fighting, and making the most of this opportunity.
Hey, Steve, Steph's obviously known as someone that plays the game with joy, but he also has a lot of resiliency.
In what ways does that characteristic set the tone for this group?
I, I think what, what I, I love Well, I love everything about Steph, but, what I've seen, and it happened tonight, what I've seen over and over again, is he can be in the middle of a very average game, and then all of a sudden, it clicks.
And he's, he's so poised out there.
having a rough go, he just keeps going.
He keeps going.
And all it takes is one, and you could kind of feel it.
you know, he had those two plays where he tried to draw fouls and, I thought the officials made the right no calls on those, and they, they turned into buckets for the Clippers.
We're down 10.
I think he hit a little, little 15-foot jumper and you could see it, like, that's all he That's all it takes.
And you look at the box score at halftime, and then you look at the final box score, and you're like, "How the hell did that happen?"
You know?
Look, I mean, 12 for 23, made seven three I didn't, I didn't see any of that in the first half.
but that's his magic.
He, he just can will himself into a game and has so much belief, so much confidence, and, so much competitive desire.
It's, amazing to watch.
how closely did you watch Portland and, and Phoenix last night?
And then what's, you know, prep like with a short turnaround coming after, you know, coming off a- Yeah win?
We'll, we'll do, Our- we've, we've had coaches, preparing for both Portland and Phoenix over the last week.
so our game plan is all set.
We just have to present it to the players tomorrow, probably tomorrow evening.
we won't have a practice, but we'll go through the game plan and then shoot around Friday to, walk through some things.
So, we'll be, we'll be ready.
I mean, it's, you know, one, one game to get in, and we're excited about it.
And, they've-- Phoenix has a hell of a team.
They've had a great year and, it's gonna be another great game.
Steve, on your left here.
Okay.
you guys knew that Porziis had this within him, and you touched on it a little bit earlier, but what do you think got him unlocked early and got him going the way he was?
He's a great player, you know?
He's just a, he's a great player.
He won a championship, in Boston.
He's been in big games.
he's played in big FIBA games.
Kristaps is, a really talented dude, you know?
that, that type of three-point range, the shot blocking, the, the length, the f- the IQ.
Made a beautiful little backdoor pass to Steph for a layup, that helped Steph get going and he's got a great feel, great IQ.
And, I know the last couple weeks he hasn't shot it that well, but, it's only a matter of time, and obviously, this game meant, meant an awful lot and he came up big.
Following up on that, Steve, beyond his three-point shooting, th- those follow dunks a couple times, I mean, he, he seems like he gives you things you haven't had.
Right.
I mean, the size obviously, but also he does things that- Yeah you haven't had people who can do.
Right.
How much a difference does that make j- not just tonight, but- Yeah.
Both, both Kristaps and Al, just the, you know, the size and, the ability to, you know, score inside, get a, get a, a couple putbacks like, Kristaps did or, you know, scoring in the paint.
We can go into Al for a post up and draw a double team.
I think we did that and, Gee got a three.
That might've been Kristaps, but regardless, ha- having both of them as real threats offensively really complements, what we do with Steph and Dray.
Yeah.
Well, let's go down to LA to the Intuit Dome, where Petaluma's finest, Dalton Johnson, is standing by with Draymond Green.
Year 14, win or go home, do or die.
This is what you play for.
Tell me what you're feeling right now, Draymond.
I'm exhausted.
but it feels good.
You know, this was a back and forth game.
They made a run, we made a run, they made a run.
But we got the great Steph Curry and the great Al Horford, and they took us home.
It was a beautiful thing.
You guys were 7 and 34 when trailing after three quarters this season.
What changed this time?
This is the one of those 41 that if we lose, we go home, but w- we don't wanna go home.
We wanna keep playing.
Any time you got Steph Curry, you got a chance.
So it's on all of us to do our parts to give him a chance to show his greatness.
Everybody did their part.
Brandon Podziemski was huge.
Everybody did their part.
Gee Santos.
And we allowed him to be Steph Curry.
Nobody knows Steph Curry better than you, Draymond.
The moment the ball leaves his fingertips with 50 seconds left of that three-pointer, what are you thinking?
Well, I'm taught to crash right thereWell, first I've seen it too many times.
It's going in.
I knew it.
It's what he do.
Game over, huh?
Yes, sir.
Enjoy the win.
Thanks, Draymond.
Thanks, dog.
You guys have, you guys have obviously played in and won huge games through the years.
What is it about this game that seems to mean so much to so many people right now?
I think, you know, coming into the year, we thought we had a pretty good shot at it.
good team, roster that kind of covers all the things that you need to cover on a roster, and it unfortunately just hasn't gone that way for us.
A lot of injuries, but, you know, one thing we've always hung our hats on is not being front runners.
you know, it's, it's easy when everything's going right to be upbeat, to believe, but who are you when everything goes wrong?
And I think for us, I think that's what's mo- more motivating than anything.
You know, it's just like, yo, everything that has, could go wrong has gone wrong this year, and yet we still have a chance.
So what do you do with that chance?
And, you know, when you have a leader like Steve Kerr, who always knows the right thing to say, when you have a leader like Steph Curry, that you can always rally around, that you know he's gonna be there, giving everything he got and, and also one of the greatest players we've ever seen.
When, when you're following two guys like that, things like this are possible.
Steve kind of came up here and was basically saying, you know, this is why Steph came back, and, and for the people who, you know, question if it was a good idea considering the season.
what's it like, you know, watching what he went through the last few months, you know, f- end in a moment like this?
yes, I mean, you know, watching what he was going through was tough because you knew all, all he wanted was to be out there.
you know, he's coming in every single day, putting the work in, and for a nice amount of time not getting the results, you know?
And most people would quit, especially when you're in a position like that.
You know, you, you leave and team's in, what?
Seventh spot, whatever it was, and you come back and we're in tenth, and we're locked in tenth.
most people would just be like, "Ah, I'm gonna get myself right and I'll do it again next year," but that's never who he's been, and that's why this organization has been able to go from being the worst to first.
Because when you have a guy like that, that the only thing that matters is the next day, not the next year, not Just the next day, everyone else fall in line, you know?
And everyone else, you have a responsibility, because of the responsibility that he takes on every day.
And so, you know, Steve was right.
you know, this is why he wanted to get back because when he's on the floor, you always have a chance.
Draymond, what, what did y- what was the, what'd you do to stop, to slow down Kawhi tonight?
I just tried to play, really, you know, tried not to give him much space.
you know, try to make him take tough shots.
and then my teammates were incredible.
you know, when you're, when you're guarding a player like Kawhi, it's not a one-man job.
if, if, if you think it's a one-man job, I'll see you after your game when he got 45.
You know, it's, it, it's just not, what it's ever gonna be.
Any great player, and Kawhi is one of the greatest in our league, you know?
And so, I just, number one, I, I, I wanted to try to limit the shots he gets, you know?
'Cause thing about Kawhi, man, you, you think you got him stopped and he's, he's so balanced, so he can always raise up into his shot, and you're not blocking his shot because it's, it's high, he, he jumps, and he gets it off fast.
Like, so for me, I wanted to try to limit the amount of shots that he could get as opposed to thinking I'm gonna stop every shot that he takes.
That's not, that's not realistic.
and, you know, I was able to You know, he took 17 shots.
I like that, you know, because in a situation like this, you know, I know he's probably looking to take 20-plus shots, but if I can just get him to not take three or four more shots, you know, that's, that's probably, w- with, with the efficiency that he plays with, that's stopping 10 more points, you know, if I can get him to take three or four less shots.
And so I think that was just my focus, like try not to let him get to a spot where he can t- raise up and take the shot because once he get to that spot, there's nothing anyone in this league can do, when Kawhi Leonard gets to his spots.
Do you savor these moments, like knowing where you guys are at this point in the regular season?
I do.
because, A, you don't know how m- how many more you have, but, but even aside from that, I savor the moments of being able to play great players, you know?
it's an honor to play against a, a great, all-time great like Kawhi Leonard, you know?
And as a competitor, you just wanna do your best, you know?
Not every day do I get to go home and say, "Yo, I pl- I played Kawhi Leonard tonight."
Like, you know, he, he's a special, special player and he's a worker, you know?
And I got the utmost respect for Kawhi Leonard, you know?
So as much as it is about our organization and, you know, um-Taking advantage of these moments, you know, and appreciating the moment.
I appreciate playing against the all-time greats, and Kawhi Leonard is one of the greatest our league has seen.
Draymond, we were just talking to Kawhi a minute ago, and he said, I quote, of you, "Hall of Fame defender.
It was hard to even get shots up."
A, what does that mean to you that he called you that?
And B, how did you prepare for this?
Did you I mean, you've played him since he was on the Spurs, right?
You've defended him so many times.
Did you go back and watch all those other games, or how did, how did you prepare for this, or is it just ingrained in you?
you know, when you've played someone so many times like we have, you know, he know me, I know him.
but I definitely watch a lot of film.
but more so of him this year because it's a different Kawhi.
You know, the aggressiveness, his shot is as good as it's ever been.
His ball handling is as good as it's ever been.
to hear, one of the greats say that about me, like, man, that's special.
You know, that's, that's why you do it, you know, 'cause you want, you want respect from, from your peers, you know?
And Kawhi just, he, he, he's no, he's, he's not just no ordinary peer.
Again, he's one of the greats, you know?
And so to hear him say that about me, man, that guy took a Defensive Player of the Year award away from me, like And, and to s- you know, to say that about me, like, that's, that means a lot.
It means a lot because, you know, he's a man of few words, you know?
but, but when he speaks, it's loud, you know, because he doesn't speak much, you know?
And the res- I don't think there's a player in the NBA that does not respect Kawhi Leonard, you know?
He's, he's a special guy.
So to hear him, I'm grateful, to hear him say that about me, because ultimately you just want the respect of your peers, and I'm v- very thankful for that.
Draymond, when Al, when Al was up here, he said that you and Steph were encouraging him down the stretch when he was hitting all those threes.
What was your message for him during that?
we need He's one of our better shooters on his team.
We need you shooting the ball.
You open, let it ride, and that's, that's always our message.
And, and then more importantly, we're looking for him.
You know, this isn't like, "Oh, a mistake, he caught the ball."
No, that's, that's one of the guys we're looking for to, to shoot that, you know?
And so, you know, they had Kawhi guarding me and Brook Lopez on him.
They didn't switch the matchup, which then allows Steph to come off of Brook Lopez and get the three, right?
So that's all Al Horford's doing, right?
And, you know, we were excited as hell to get him, in, in free agency, and you see why.
You know, he's been, he's been incredible.
And obviously he's dealt with some injuries, but man, it's great to have him on our side.
Hey, Dray.
given how hard this season was, given that you guys are no longer in your 20s, how much did the championship DNA that you and Steph share matter tonight on a game like this?
and Al, you know, KP, GP, right?
Like, it matters a lot because you get in these situations and, and it's, it's nothing you've, you haven't seen before.
You know, like, if you've won a championship, you've probably seen just about anything because it requires you to go so much to, to, to ultimately accomplish that.
And for us, you know, we leaned on each other.
You know, I think so oftentimes when people don't understand what it's like to go through something with a team and accomplish it with that team, oftentimes in situations like this, people splinter.
And when they splinter, that's Everything starts seeping through the cracking and you fold, right?
We all leaned on each other, and that's what, you know, you understand in those moments is like, that's the wrong time to start doing it yourself.
That's the wrong time to, you know, believe that or not have belief in the guy next to you.
Like, that's the time where you gotta have the utmost belief in the guy next to you.
Know that, all right, he rolling with me, you know?
And so, to have that, the, the experience that we've all had in winning championships plays a big role in a night like tonight, you know, where you all, you know, everything's on the table and you gotta get it done by any means necessary.
I think tonight we was able to lean on that.
to follow on that a little bit, the Steph's go-ahead bucket, this classic two-man game with you guys.
How do you describe the trust and the chemistry that you guys have to execute like that on the fly in a situation like this after all these years?
Well, I tell y'all all the time, man, Steph's one of the smartest players, and he don't get credit for it because he's so good.
You know, he shoots the ball as better than anyone.
He dribbles the ball as good as anyone, you know?
and so oftentimes people don't value his IQ.
But right in that moment, if you go back and watch, when he makes a sign, he, and he does something.
I'm like, "Okay, I got it," and we went right into that action.
he knew it would work, and he called it right there.
If you see, I'm running up, I look at him, he does something.
Gotcha.
And it's just my job to, to get o- and get him the ball back, you know?
And he did the rest.
I was gassed, so I didn't even crash for the board, but I knew it was good anyway.
It was But, you know, that's 14 years, man.
Like, that don't happen overnight, you know?
That's, that's a lot of trial and error.
And then, and then most importantly, our coach got the utmost confidence in us to figure it out, and he put us in great positions to be able to figure it out.
Hey, Dr- Draymond, when you're talking about the group not being a frontrunner, with Steph's resiliency, not just with coming back, but fighting through a tough start and having the game he had, what do you think that does to set the tone for the rest of the group?
Well, it, it does everything to set the tone because when, when the head of the snake is-Locked in like that, and everything's going wrong for him, and he stay dialed in and continue to push forward.
I mean, no one else Y- you're not allowed to drop your head.
You're gonna watch this guy who has nothing to play for.
Like, if, if he go home today, he's Steph Curry.
Like, nothing's changing that.
but you watch him go through what he's going through.
You watch him, deal with the, the tough start, and his head is held high, you know.
And the next shot, in his mind, is his best shot.
Well, everybody else f- feeds off that, you know?
And so, man, he's just I'm blessed to play with him for 14 years.
He's special, special guy, special player.
and that's why he's been the face of this organization, and the organization's done this.
All right, two more.
Ron and What A couple people have said Al and Kristaps, as well as they played, you expect that 'cause they've been in big games, right?
Absolutely.
But how mean- but how meaningful is it to see similar contributions from Brandon and Gee tonight in this setting?
Huge, because they haven't been in this situation.
Gee hasn't.
BP has played some, some playoff minutes, but, you know, not, not being depended on, you know?
And tonight, you know, he was depended on.
And early in the game, when nobody else could get it going, he was the one that got it going, you know?
He got us some key buckets to kinda break the ice.
And when he plays with that type of confidence, he's a really good basketball player.
And Gee Santos, you know, we've all watched the evolution and growth, you know, of Gee.
And, you know, for both of those guys to step up in a moment like this, it says everything about who they are.
It says everything about their character and their confidence.
because this isn't an easy situation.
You're talking one game that you have, and if you lose, it's over.
And both of those guys came in, you know, played great basketball, gave us huge lifts, and, you know, and, we needed every single one of them.
Draymond, I, I know you said this is obviously a team effort, slowing down Kawhi, but, I think, you know, some people, when, when, whether it was personnel or injuries, they say maybe Draymond has lost a little bit of a step this year defensively.
I'm curious, when you go into a matchup like this, how much do you just think about, you know, maybe proving people p- proving that you still have got it, especially at this level, given You know, you, you have the accolades, you have all that already, but just going out there and still proving that you've got it and, and are able to perform like this?
there will never be a person that I will want to prove more to than myself.
the same people that say I lost a step said I never had a step.
You know, they're the same people that said I would never make it, and I should be out the NBA, and I'm I ride a coattail, and the list goes on and on.
Those are the same people.
I You know?
I'm like, "Eh."
So ultimately, when you step on the floor, this, this is competition.
You know, you wanna be your best.
You know, if you don't bring your best against Kawhi Leonard, you get embarrassed fast, you know?
And I, the last two days have had the fear, lived with the fear of getting embarrassed because I know the matchup that's ahead of me, you know?
And so with that, you, you lean on your preparation, you know?
And I've prepared for these moments, you know?
I think I still got a lot left in the tank, you know, and I'll continue to show that, you know?
But like I said, it's more about proving it to myself than anyone else.
As long as, as long as I can prove something to me, I know my expectations are way higher than everyone else's.
So if I can prove me right, it's a piece of cake proving everybody else right.
All right, I'd like one last- Or proving everybody else wrong Anthony, last one.
I don't- I think tonight didn't technically count for awards, but, do you feel like you kinda made a, an all-defensive type statement?
Yeah, I mean, I think if you watch me play defense all year, I, I make this statement pretty often, but they can take that one to the bank.
That was a, that was an elite one right there.
I You know, so if you need something to stamp it, there it go.
Live, let's go straight to LA to the Intuit Dome and talk to Brandon Podziemski.
Yes, sir.
Mr. All 82, playing in all 82 regular season games.
Played 40 big boy minutes tonight, 30 seconds, 17.7 rebounds, two assistant pods.
Tonight was fun.
You guys never quit.
Down 11, down 13, you guys stayed in the fight there.
Discuss this win, especially late down the stretch, where you guys made all the winning plays.
Yeah, I think, we were down 10 maybe four or five times at various points of the game, and, we just got a resilient group.
Like I, said before we started this, just, got a bunch of guys that's been there, and it's been at really high-level games, and have won championships, and, and know what it's like to come back.
And so, yeah, we just Every timeout, we're like, "It's okay.
they made their run, and they're a good team.
They're at home, so they're gonna make runs."
And, every time we responded and fought back.
And obviously, the big shots Al made down the stretch, and obviously Steph doing what he does, and then Draymond, finishing it up on defensive end.
just a team effort.
Yeah, Pods, talk to me about your vets, man.
Like, Al, you just said, made big plays.
Draymond defensively was incredible, and obviously Steph Curry, 27 in the second half.
What, what is it that you guys get from the older guys, especially now that they're healthy and back on the floor?
Yeah, I think just steadiness and, like I said, everyone's been there before.
And so, I think this is Steph and Dray's fourth playing game now, and, or fifth maybe.
And, you know, Al just came off winning a championship with KP.
And so, they know what pressure and big moments are like, and so, I think they thrive in, in those thingsPods, talk about Steph Curry's second half.
At halftime, somewhat of a quiet half.
You guys kept him in the game, but then he just turns it on and he finishes with 35 points.
so I, I know we see it so many times and it's, it's almost not amazing, but talk about what you witness playing beside and watching Steph Curry on a daily basis prepare for games, and then get on the biggest stage a- and execute like he did tonight.
Yeah, I think, like you said, it's, it makes sense, the results he gets back from all the stuff he puts into it.
you know, a really great person, teammate, father, husband, you know, you name it, he does, at his top level, and so, just to see what he does on a daily basis and the rewards he's reaping from it, you know, everything just kind of makes sense.
You know, Pods, I want to talk about yourself for a second.
You know, since the All-Star break, your average is 17, 6 and 4.
You're shooting over 46% from the floor, 37 from the three-point line.
How much valuable experience did you gain knowing that Jimmy was out, knowing that Stephen Curry was out, and that you would have to carry more on your shoulders as one of the youngest players in this league?
Can you discuss what's been going on with you since the All-Star break?
Because what we see on the TV every single night when you suit up, you're playing some excellent basketball right now, Pods.
Yeah.
I think it's a valuable experience for me.
you know, obviously if Steph and Jimmy, don't go down, it s- it looks a little bit different.
I'm not gonna have as many opportunities, as I did.
And so, that's what I really mean when, you know, I say it, it's a blessing i- in disguise when they went down, just 'cause everybody gets a different opportunity to, you know, have the spotlight on them.
And, I think I learned a lot.
I learned what having the number one guy on defense on me feels like, what it looks like to be successful at that level.
obviously, we didn't come away with a lot of wins, but it's an invaluable experience, and I think, you know, it shows.
And tonight, especially with the way I'm playing and how Gee- Gee's been playing, if Jimmy doesn't go down, he really doesn't get that opportunity, so.
yeah, it's been invaluable.
but like I said, I just stay true to my faith and my work ethic, and, let the results fall where they may.
Pods, talk about your work ethic.
I, you had a great season this year.
One of 18 players in the league to play in all 82 games.
Talk about your preparation physically to not only be prepared to play the game, but also to execute every single night and be there for your teammates.
Yeah, I think, you know, I love hoops a lot.
I think a lot more than people realize or think.
so any time that, you know, God gives me the ability to go out there and compete, that's one of my favorite things in this world to do.
And so, you know, fortunately, I, I went through some injuries, or unfortunately I went through some injuries, you know, last year, and I really learned about, a lot about my body, what makes it work, what makes it not work.
and so I just kind of stuck to a routine after the surgeries this summer, and it helped me get through 82, and so, just super blessed to be able to do that.
Congratulations.
Congratulations.
Hell of a year.
As we go down, 40 minutes, 30 seconds.
Lock it in, baby.
You got another one Friday night- Big win, game Friday so we don't wanna hold you for too long.
Get some rest, man.
Have a safe flight to the Valley of the Sun against the Phoenix, and we'll see you, Friday night against the Suns.
Y- yes, sir.
Thanks, guys.
Appreciate you.
And what a game for Guy Santos.
Guy Santos.
As we go back down to LA.
Guy, 20 points, six rebounds, five assists.
Guy, have a night, man.
How fun was that down there in LA?
Rallying from a 13-point deficit in the fourth quarter, all the winning plays, Al Horford, Kristaps Porziis, Jerami Grant's defense on Kawhi Leonard.
But how about your night playing in this type of environment, man?
Good job for you, huh?
Man, that was amazing.
That was amazing.
I, I couldn't believe it that I was a part of that, you know?
So, when I was on the court and just seeing Steph and hitting that crazy threes, and Draymond getting stops in, like guarding Kawhi, that was amazing, man.
I, I couldn't believe I was there, but I couldn't believe it.
Okay, so Guy, when you think about this game, right, it took y'all a second to get settled into the game.
When did you feel like you guys had Like, 'cause you had a couple times where you came back from deficits.
When did you feel like you guys were kinda getting into the flow again a- as the, as the game went on?
So we knew the game gonna be like that, you know?
Like, the game has ups and downs.
they have a couple runs on us.
They w- were up, and like you guys said, they were up 13 on us in the last quarter.
But we knew that's, that's a, like, that's the, the energy that we gotta bring to come back in the game.
So we were just there going back and bringing energy.
We still got Steph, you know, so it's easy for him to just stop in the logo and shoot a three-point and make a shot.
So it's, it's kinda, it's kinda, it's kinda easy for us to get back in the game when you got a guy like him.
So, it was amazing, man.
That defensive stop from, Draymond, the couple great three-pointers they all got.
I think he got 12 points in the last quarter.
Yep.
That was big time threes for us.
So man, that was just great.
A great game.
Guy, tremendous game for yourself.
The whole team played so well.
but with Steph Curry, eight points at halftime, do you guys You know, Steph just came back a few games ago.
Did you role players talk about maintaining your aggressiveness as Steph works his way back?
Because you get 20, Porziis gets 20, Pods had 17, and you mentioned Al hit four threes in that, in that fourth quarter.
But I was talking when Steph was coming back, that it was really important for you and your teammates to remain aggressive as Steph works his way back.
Did you guys talk about that?
I don't think we, we really talked about that, but, we can feel that, you know.
we knew, like, we were playing aggressive when Steph and Jimmy was not playing with us.
But now Steph is back, so we know that's gonna be even easier for us to play because everybody gonna be doubling on him, like, everywhere.
Especially that there's a couple plays that I have a wide open layups because they were so wor- worried about Steph.
I was just dribbling and wide open layup because there was two guys guarding Steph with, like even he was not with the ball, you know?
So that's the, that's the great, great thing to have Steph on the team, because he know that he gonna have two guys on him, and he- gonna just like, "Go, go, attack, attack, you good, you gotta..." He, he gave us that confidence.
That's why we are so comfortable playing even when he's back, because he give that confi- the confidence for us.
And on the court, you just can feel it, you know?
Well, Guy, you're playing some of the best basketball of your career, if not the best basketball of your career, and I asked Poz this: how invaluable was that experience of playing without Steph, without Jimmy, to help get your game right?
I know you guys weren't winning a lot of games, but you were getting valuable game reps and getting a lot of minutes here.
How much did that help you and prepare you for that moment tonight?
So I think, when you play, games like that without your main players, that put you in a position that you gotta provide more than you usually do, you know?
And that was what happened with me, with BP, with Mel, you know, with Al.
And, all the experience just, show ups today, you know?
Because when you play without these guys, you gotta find something, you know?
They're not gonna be there to find the, to, to, to find a better look for you all the time.
So when you don't have them, you just gotta go and drive and stop on two feet and trying to find passes or trying to score.
And, when they back, like I said, make it easier for us.
So the experience, that we have playing without them, it's now, like, showing up on the court because it's easier to play with them, you know?
So it's kind of tricky, but it's easier when ha- you have Steph and, you know, all these guys around.
Well, it's been a joy to watch you develop here, especially this season, Guy.
Nine of 13 from the floor, 20 points, six rebounds, five assists.
And we get to do it again on Friday night against Phoenix, man.
Get some quick rest, and we'll see you Friday.
Yes, sir.
Yes, sir.
Get you rest, brother.
Congrats.
Al, is, is this the kind of game, that you had in mind when you signed with the Warriors?
I don't know about the playing, but but, but the type- But the, the type of intensity, in, in a meaningful game like this, yes.
and then me being able to, to, to help our group, and be there in those moments.
so I'm, I'm, I'm very, grateful for that opportunity.
Can you describe what Draymond did defensively down the stretch against Kawhi?
And just how, how difficult he's been?
Well, I mean, we wanna highlight the end, which is great, but, like, just all game, kind of what, what he did.
it was an unbelievable job, you know, being that disciplined, and a guy that- that's been playing so well all year, like Kawhi.
Kawhi's been dominant.
And Draymond taking on that challenge and getting stop after stop and, and that steal there at the end near half court, I mean, it's, it, it takes a lot because as a defender, you know, it, it, you know, you don't wanna get out of position, and, but that just goes to the grit of Draymond and how smart he is and how he's thinking just ahead of it, and he was able to make that play.
And, just, just very impressed, with, with him and just the continued efforts 'cause he, he, he didn't waver.
He just continued to get a stop, get a stop, stop after stop, and it just became, draining, for them, I feel like.
Al, this is your first time having Steph on your side in a game like this.
Yeah.
What was that like?
Man, that was, that, that was great.
it's, you know, you don't like to be on those other sides when, when he does what he does, but just, I, I mean, just as, as clutch as a player as you can find, really embraces this moment.
just I know he, he puts that fear on, on, on opposing teams.
That's just the reality.
And when he has the ball, he's gonna, you know, and then, and he gets those looks, he's gonna make you pay.
so it's, it, it's pretty special and, and you know, I, I catch myself just, just watching him when I'm out there, you know, playing just because, you know, it still impresses me at, at the level that he's able to do it.
When you guys are playing from behind almost the entire game, what does it do for your confidence knowing that you have that big of a- Well, it, it gives us, you know, life, but I think we just continue to stay within the game plan.
but, a lot of games in, in this season, when you look at some of our games, when he was out, I feel like we were right in games and we just didn't have that closer.
We didn't have that guy that can kinda, you know, take us over the top and, and you know, and, and that's what he does.
So he, he did it tonight.
Al, right here.
Al, talk about as far as building upon this monumental win going into the next level.
yeah, I mean, it's, it's, it's gonna be an- a- another challenge.
you know, a Phoenix team that's a really good team, and they're all healthy, now.
But, you know, for us it's, recover, do everything we need to do and, and, and start looking into playing them.
We know it's gonna be a big challenge, but, you know, at this point, I feel like we're just, we're, we're playing pretty free out here, so we're, we're gonna go out there and just, just let it rip.
Al, in your first answer, you referred to the intensity of a meaningful game, and yesterday Steve acknowledged it doesn't feel like the w- he had, the Warriors had played a meaningful game almost all year- given just the way things happened.
How difficult is that to It's not like you built up to this in the, in that sense of intensity.
How difficult is it to sort of flip that switch in a game like this, and what does it mean to not only have you, who've been through it, come through, but Brandon and Guy and, you know, pretty much everybody who played?
Yeah, v- very impressed, you know, now that you highlight, Brandon and Guy with their composure and how they came out and responded and how solid they were.
But, but it- it's not easy when you don't play this, these type of games and at this level.
And at the beginning for me, it took me a little bit, you know, just to kinda find anything or, or, or get it going.
and, you know, now-U- ultimately, these are the games that, that you wanna be a part of and that you wanna play in.
And, and, and I just love, you know, that challenge.
The, the, you know, the, the toughness of, of the game, the, you know, the, the not only the physicality, but the mental game within the game.
there's a lot that goes into it, and, and, and these are the type of games that I just, you know, just enjoy.
And, and for us, it was, a matter of, of wills tonight.
And, you know, it was just nice to get that type of game to start with, and we know that Phoenix is gonna be no different.
It's gonna be a battle as well.
Al, as a veteran, as a champion yourself, how do you balance enjoying this moment so much and then turning the page to Phoenix?
When does the attention fully turn towards Phoenix?
yeah.
I mean, the attention will, you know, will turn to Phoenix probably in a, in a couple hours, I would say.
you know, right now we're kinda You know, we're happy about it, but, you know, we, we have to turn it quickly.
We understand that, you know, we're still in a position that we're still fighting to get into the playoffs.
And, this is, a good opportunity that we're getting, but, but we can't, you know, can't dwell on this too long.
Al, you mentioned being impressed with what Steph Curry was doing at the age that he's doing it, and you're, you're 19 in the league.
Mm-hmm.
Four of four from threes in that final frame.
Mm-hmm.
Did you eat your Wheaties, or what- what's sort of fueling that for you?
Yeah.
for me, you know, I just gotta, I gotta give the, the glory to the Lord on that because o- on this, on this whole season for me 'cause it's been, you know, it's been a challenge, you know, in, in different ways, with injuries and with things with the team, and this game wasn't going quite like I expected it at the beginning.
I had some good looks early on.
And I tell you, probably those last two looks that I shot, I, I didn't know what was gonna happen.
you know, so I, I, I shot 'em.
I shot 'em with confidence, and I a- and then way- they went down.
So for me it, it was really just staying with the process and continuing to work and being prepared for it.
And, and Steph was in my ear, Draymond was in my ear the whole time giving me that confidence and, and, and, and letting me know that, you know, that, that I do that as well.
That I'm a- I'm capable of.
And, and, and for me, that was, that was a special moment that I shared with them there.
And with our season on the line, it wa- it was pretty fitting.
Al, to follow up on exactly that, you played in some gigantic games throughout your career, but did you surprise yourself even a little bit tonight because you haven't really played in the last month, basically, aside from a couple games, and then you hit all the shots you did lately?
Yeah.
I, I, I definitely did, if I'm being completely honest.
And, and also just the, Coach talked about it in the locker room, just the, you know, we've all won a lotta special games, but this game for us felt very special.
v- you know, it, it tested us as a team, and for us to be able to come on top, was, was really good.
and, and now, you know, I just Our whole goal is just, you know, to build on this.
We have an opportunity, on Friday, in a, in a, against a very tough team, but we have an opportunity, and that's, that's all you can ask for at this point.
Mm-hmm.
You said Steph and Draymond were in your ear.
What exactly were they telling you?
just giving me confidence.
You know, Steph, like I said, he said, you know, "It's, it's what you do," and, just, just word of confidence.
And, and Draymond, you know, happy for me, and then, you know, and it's reciprocated when he's on the defensive end, and he's doing what he does and, and making winning plays for us.
So at that moment, you know, we're all just, you know, trying to make winning plays, to win the game 'cause that's, that's, that's what it comes down to.
Kristaps, what got you rolling early tonight?
I just wanted to come in with good energy, crash the boards, be as active as I can, just give everything I could to the team.
And, was able to, yeah, convert some, some, some offensive rebounds into something and, do some, like, little things well and, and get myself going in the game.
How fun was it to watch Al just go crazy in that fourth quarter and, and keep the, keep you guys alive?
Yeah, no.
He, he, he, he got in a good rhythm and, and, you know, you could see, like, the second, third, fourth shot was, like, full of confidence.
And, and, and he, he, he's one of the main reasons why we won this game, you know?
To have that spark in the fourth, like, not really expecting it maybe, was, was, was perfect.
Along the same lines, you've been on the same side as Al in these situations.
You haven't been on the same side as Steph in these situations.
What was it like watching him just explode there in the second half?
Yeah.
He's, he's unreal.
I mean, I'm happy I'm h- on his side now, you know?
Because I used to, be on the other side and, and, you know, there's not much you can do when, when, when this guy's gets going and, and is hitting these wild shots.
It's like, it's, it's truly, like, unique, you know?
Even just as a, as his teammate, you know, to witness that, so, he's one of the most special players we've ever seen.
What does that do for your confidence when you're playing from behind most of the game knowing that you have- Oh, of course.
To know, to know that we have this kind of a guy, this kind of a weapon, and, and, and, you know, what he's capable of, you know, we're, we're gonna be dangerous at any point of the game, you know?
No matter how much we're down, so, he was, he was huge tonight.
Even though you're new to this group, you know, understanding every team this, everything this team has been through this year and the stage of the journey of this franchise, how special was this win?
no, of course it's awesome.
It's my first playing game, so, atmosphere was, was great.
I had fun.
I had fun.
You know, uh-Like, the games leading up to this maybe weren't, you know, super important, so it's a little bit tougher to get going, obviously.
But, but tonight was, you know, win or go home and, and those are fun games to be a part of.
And, we got the job done, so I'm of course I'm happy.
You mentioned kind of how difficult this season has been for you.
I mean, even before the trade, but after the trade, you, you know, you guys didn't even know if Steph was gonna get back.
Did you ever kinda doubt you would get this type of moment with, with this group?
Did I, like, think- Doubt that, you know- No even if Steph would come back.
You, you, I'm sure you envisioned- Right with the Warriors getting a playoff setting type thing.
Mm-hmm.
But, but I'm sure there was at times doubt that it would happen.
Yeah, no, honestly I didn't visualize too much.
You know, I don't know.
I wasn't like, "Oh, I can't, you know, wait to be a part of this playing game and win one and then the other."
I don't know.
I never, like, thought like that, you know?
Obviously, I just wanted to finish the season strong for myself and as a, as a team.
And, you know, it's, it's weird because you play 82 games but then your season kinda is on the line in one or two games.
So, but that's kinda, like, a blessing for us because we're the 10th seed, otherwise we wouldn't even sniff the playoffs, you know?
But to, to have this opportunity is, it's awesome and, and, yeah, we gotta give it all our, in the next game.
You know, you guys have so little data and time together, and you obviously have a decision to make this summer.
is this the type of game, the type of setting that, that, you know, will allow you to envision what it could be if, you know, you do have a fuller, healthier season?
Yeah.
That's actually, yeah.
That's a good, like, preview, no, of what could, potentially Or maybe, you know, we, we win the next one and then we actually have the real thing and, and, who knows, you know?
but of course it's tough.
Even if we make it, then we're gonna be eighth seed.
You know, obviously it's gonna be a tough scenario.
But anyway, this is a good preview and, and, and, you know, we're gonna give our all.
And, you know, Steph obviously made a huge effort to come back to be with us now and, and, you know, we have to appreciate that.
We have to give everything we have, with this group and then see how far we can get.
You've probably been asked so many times over the years to say, "Where are you in your, in, in how your body feels and what, what percent are you of your- Yeah of your peak?"
But, but this is about the best you've looked and your best, one of your best games here.
How, how do you feel?
Do, is there still more that you could do here?
For sure.
For sure.
I still have to get in better shape.
Like, a little bit lighter on my feet, everything.
But, last practice and today, I would say I, I'm feeling decent, you know?
A couple putbacks.
This, I'm starting to, something, something start to show again, you know?
So, just, just working my way back into having, like, good legs underneath, being a little bit, like, still a little bit late defensively for a couple blocks.
So things like that, like, I know I will get there eventually.
but I'm happy.
I'm happy about today's game, for sure.
If you were to put an adjective on those putbacks, like maybe the pods putback after the missed free throw, what would that adjective be?
Like angry or- What's a adjective?
Des- Descriptive word.
Uh-huh.
Describe your putback.
w- like, what emotion I felt, or?
I don't know, but I've been doing that for 100 times, and it never worked.
And today I finally got it.
Today I finally got it.
You know, you could watch some old games, like.
And I'm happy.
I am happy, for sure.
Great.
All right, is that it?
We have one last one.
Good.
Take the steps.
Okay.
Draymond was just in here talking about just the, the, the pride he takes in, in his defense and his preparedness coming into a matchup like this.
He says he's lived with the fear the last two days of potentially being embarrassed by Kawhi because of how good he is.
W- w- w- when you have a guy who prides himself that much defensively, I mean, w- w- what is that like?
Is it just like everyone else just has to follow, you know, his kinda lead on that end of the floor?
No, for sure he sets the tone, no?
defensively, he's, he's an animal, honestly.
You have to give him credit.
Even the games that didn't mean much, like, I saw his energy and I was like, "This guy's giving his all," you know?
And, and he for sure sets the tone for us.
And, and he did amazing job on, on Kawhi tonight.
Even I saw something just now on Twitter, Kawhi said, like, couldn't even get a look, good look, you know?
So, for sure hats off to Draymond.
And, and, no, Draymond on defense, he's, he's the real deal.
Obviously one thing to play against him, but what was it like when you got to know him, got here, got to Golden State and got to know him a little bit?
Anything surprise you about him or what was that like for you?
Draymond, like, he is who he is, you know?
Like, he's a force of nature.
Like, he's, you know, his personality, like, he, he, he doesn't care what people think about him.
Not like And you gotta, you gotta love to see that in a, you know, in, in, in somebody like him, so.
a- and honestly, one of the, one of the coolest teammates I've had, you know?
Really a great teammate.
wants to win.
you know, obviously a really, so experienced, you know?
And, and, and really a I could see how important he is for this organization, for sure.
Is that why you decided to come back this season?
Say what?
Is that why you decided to come back this season?
Um- There- We talked about it the whole time.
Just if we have any type of, you know, chance or, or hope to extend our season, I wanted to be out there to experience it.
You don't imagine it going like it did tonight, but just proud of how we all, you know, fought and the guys that are out there withstanding the runs that they, they went on, the leads that they built up, and we always had an answer.
And, and then you see, you know, play after play after play, Al, KP, Gee hit some big shots.
We kinda just stayed with it and obviously I was able to contribute.
But it was, that was fun.
That's, that's what you live for right there.
Steph, I've heard a lot of Over here, on your left, I guess.
I've heard a lot of players talk about entering the flow state, but I feel like you're-Sort of an example of that almost on another level, like, not to get hyperbolic, but it kinda seems like you transcend into another plane of existence sometimes when you're in, on one of those heaters.
What does that, like, look like, feel like?
What is that experience like for you when you're in that kind of flow state?
I'm just having fun.
I think the muscle memory and the reps and the work that you put in your entire life kinda comes out at the right times.
I always talk about earning and deserving the confidence that you play with because of the work that you put in, and then not, not being afraid of failure and missed shots or bad, you know, turnovers, whatever it is.
You just keep going and then the shot goes in.
There's a rhythm to it.
you keep finding yourself open and you just en- enjoy the, the environment.
Like, I've had a lot been blessed with a lot of moments like that, and the work that goes into it, I, honest, that's the only real answer is just 'cause it, it, you can't, like, choreograph any of it.
It's just if I see some daylight, shoot it and have confidence and, and, and hope that you're prepared for those opportunities.
Steve has been talking a, a little existentially recently just about, you know, kind of find- feeling the finality of this in some ways, and he talked tonight about how this is one of his favorite wins because, you know, regardless of if it's in the plane, you know, at the end, getting another one of these type of nights.
I'm curious, I mean, do you find yourself at all thinking about that bigger picture there, and then, you know, did tonight feel more special than, you know, a normal nine, 10 plane game would feel?
You think about it 'cause that's your life, but you don't think about it in the middle of a game or in your preparation.
It's We're basketball players and coaches, and we all love this game, and so I think we all had a different, a good energy the last three days with the mental prep and the game plan.
Like, that got our, our juices flowing.
The film sessions, they were a little longer than the regular season.
The walkthroughs were a little bit more intentional.
just the conversations that we were having and then that feeds into the game.
the only I- I'm sure he Part of why, why he said what he said about tonight was 'cause it's unpredictable.
We haven't had our group together for a long enough time where you know how it's gonna go.
In years past, like, you know, kind of what to expect just based on the body of work that a team puts together.
With this team, we don't have that, and so we're trying to piece it together on the fly.
And the fact that we were as resilient as we were tonight and everybody contributed was just a testament to just being gamers and loving the, the moment.
So obviously we gotta go do it again on Friday.
Steph, when, when you, when you look at Draymond, I mean, he was just in here saying he prides himself on his preparedness, but he, he had to live with the fear that Kawhi would embarrass him because of his ability offensively.
And when, when you step back a- and watch what he's able to do defensively, even at the age of 36, I mean, what, what do you kind of say about him?
He's special.
He's a Hall of Famer.
just a defen- defensive savant when it comes to being in the right place at the right time, fully committing to what the, the job is.
It's not a fun job.
It's, you know, like you saying, I- offensively, you go, you have your freedom.
You can do whatever you want, make or miss shots, whatever.
Defensively, you're at the, you know, the mercy of somebody like a Kawhi Leonard who is gonna make you work all night, and I think Draymond, he f- he feeds off of those battles, those matchups.
It gets him going.
and, you know, it's our job to have his back, but the way he played tonight and just the, the level of impact he had was incredible.
I'm, I'm falling short on the words to describe it.
It was un- it was unbelievable.
Steph, after you made that three in the final minute and falling into the courtside fans, what was the interactions with them like?
I was just playing around with one of the guys.
I actually landed in his lap, and, he was making sure I was good, and then we had a little back and forth.
Very pleasant, though.
It was fun.
And then I knew we were calling timeout, just wanted to enjoy that moment, so it was, it was fun.
To, to follow a little bit on that same shot, two-man action, you and Draymond, how would you contextualize the 14 years of trust and chemistry that you guys have built that allows you to continue to execute in high pressure situations like that?
Just knowing patterns of how a team's playing you over the course of a game and that there's a, a call or an action you can go to that you're pretty confident will be able to get me a shot, but if not, then, you know, we either get Draymond in a pocket, he's been able to make plays.
But it's fun because we didn't There was no timeout.
There was no white, you know, clipboard drawing up a play.
It was just us being in, in sync on what we were seeing and how they were trying to guard me.
You know, with less than a minute left, just trying to get a good look, and we got to our, some of our pet actions, and it was, right time, you know, right place, right execution.
Thankfully I made it.
Obviously your and Draymond's championship DNA extends very deep.
how f- this was just a play-in game, but how fun did it feel to tap back into that a bit tonight?
Like I said, this is what, this is what you work all year for, all summer, off-season.
You know, we're not guaranteed a series yet, but these nights make everything worth it because you feel the anxiety of having to perform when the lights are bright, do or die game.
Like I said, the last two days of preparation, trying to get our game plan right got us really locked in on the moment.
So-Considering how our season has gone and all the injuries and all that, for us to play the way we did tonight was special.
I know we're not satisfied, and we wanna go to Phoenix and, and guarantee, you know, a, a playoff series against OKC.
That's, that's the next goal.
But for us to lock in on just 48 minutes, figure it out however we can, you know, get a win, knowing that the game was not gonna be perfect, we were all pretty committed to that.
And, you know, the eight guys that got on the floor all had a, had a part in, in making it happen.
Steph, Guy and Brandon have both taken huge steps here in the last few months, mostly while you were out, and mostly while the games didn't have huge consequence.
I mean, you guys lost a lot of them and slipped from 7 to 10.
Given that, how awkward is it to suddenly play under the bright lights with them and have them come through the way they did in this situation?
I think those reps helped 'cause they got to feel the pressure of performing every single night and being, a little higher on the scouting report of the other team, and just dealing with, you know, your own expectations of how you wanna play as, as a, you know And what you put on yourself.
And so one of the messages when I got back was, "Don't just run around looking to get me the ball."
Like, everybody has to be aggressive and capable scorer, and just play with confidence, and we'll figure everything else out.
So I think those reps definitely helped those guys, and that's why I think this matters even more than just the emotions of being in, you know, a play-in or a hopeful playoff scenario, is to see these guys get that payoff when it comes to playing games like this.
And, you know, Guy hit, you know, two big shots in the second half that kinda were, like, momentum killers.
BP was, was all over the place, you know, with his, his energy and, filling, you know, lineups that sometimes he We ain't know what position he was playing.
So it was kinda just fun to just see everybody figure it out on the fly, and those two guys who haven't been in, you know, big-time playoff type moments, you know, play as well as they did.
Two more.
Steph, you guys have obviously watched Al do it for a long time from a distance in big games.
What was it like for you to sit there in the fourth and watch him rain down threes like he did?
I had flashbacks to game one in, '22 finals, 'cause it was just like that where all of a sudden I think he was Was he oh for three?
Yeah.
He, he was oh for three at one point from three.
And then, you know, he hits, he hits the first one.
It's just a w- it was just a sign of how confident he was shooting it.
There was no hesitation.
There was no doubt.
It was just, "I'm, I'm open.
I, I'll shoot it."
That's championship pedigree and experience that, when he's been healthy and available, he's shown that all year, and I'm glad that, that he was able to get back in time to do exactly what he did tonight.
And he's been a huge part of the vision of what this team was supposed to be.
And, yeah, I'm, I'm super happy for him 'cause we've seen the work that he's put in behind the scenes to get right for, for this stretch run.
Last one.
Yeah, here.
Hey, Steph.
as you mentioned, this is the first big step.
Now you guys go to Phoenix.
I'm just curious your initial, thoughts on that matchup and what it's gonna take to, to get another win.
Similar approach to tonight.
You know, there's gonna be runs back and forth.
They started out 12-2 tonight and felt like we were down 10 multiple times throughout the game, but we kept answering.
You know, Phoenix is a high-powered offense.
You know, Dillon and, and, and Devin have been playing great all year long.
They have guys that can, you know, create off the dribble.
Watched the game against Portland.
You know, it's gonna be a great atmosphere, so, I'm, we're excited about it.
And I didn't get to watch the Orlando-Philly game, but the plan is delivering this year.
It's been, it's been good, good basketball to watch.
So hopefully we can, add to that and get another win.
