LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS MEDIA CONFERENCE

May 22, 2021

Kristaps Porzingis

Postgame Press Conference

Q. Kristaps, Coach mentioned that you had to be especially patient, especially when Kawhi was guarding you. I'm curious, how much of that was something that you expected coming in to kind of be patient and wait for those touches, and how much of that is going to be something that you guys will now need to adjust to moving forward?

KRISTAPS PORZINGIS: Yeah, as you said, patience is a big thing and not get frustrated to feel like I'm out of the offense. It was for the team. So we're going to adjust the next game, I think, and that's it. That was a great, great team win.

Q. Can you talk about the growth and development of Dorian Finney-Smith and his ability to play with poise down the stretch and what he meant to you guys today.

KRISTAPS PORZINGIS: Dorian's been making big shots all season long. He's not afraid of taking whatever shot is given to him late game. We know he can knock them down. Yeah, he's doing great. He's been playing very consistent, very selfless, and that's the type of guy you want to have on your team when you're trying to win.

Q. What do you think it says about your team's growth since last year's playoffs that you could win a playoff game when you had some struggles, Luka scores one point in the fourth quarter, and all you guys stepped up?

KRISTAPS PORZINGIS: Yeah, I think we have a lot of tools that we can use. I had an off night tonight, and we were still able to get the win. All the guys stepped up. Luka had a huge game. I'm sure they're going to make some adjustments, but we're also going to get better, and it's going to be a fun second game.

Q. Kind of along these lines, it seems like the growth routine, as it relates to poise in the fourth quarter in close games, as compared to last year, it seems like that's the biggest difference in your team right now and the thing that could allow you to go to places that you want to go to.

KRISTAPS PORZINGIS: Yeah, I believe so too, and that comes with experience. That poise comes with experience being in those situations. The fact we lost last season to them gives us that extra bit of experience that we need.

Yeah, but the series are long. First game we did what we expected ourselves to do and expected us to do, and it's on to the next one.