LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS MEDIA CONFERENCE

June 18, 2021

Terance Mann

Postgame Press Conference

Los Angeles Clippers 131, Utah Jazz 119

Q. The other day you said that you weren't trying to fill in Kawhi's role but just trying to be you. You're the man now.

TERANCE MANN: Like I said before, just play my game, shoot the open shots and get transition and get the easy ones and play defense. That's what I do and that's what I get paid to do.

Q. Did you see something like this coming, 39 points?

TERANCE MANN: Yeah, I trust my, would. When you trust in your work, you trust in yourself, you're not surprised when any of this happens.

Q. What did Steve Ballmer say to you and what was that walk from the center court with the full building like to the locker room knowing that this organization is going to a place where it's never been before?

TERANCE MANN: You know, it was awesome. He was just congratulating me. I was congratulating him. I heard it was the first time in 50 years we've been to this round. It was great to see. I'm happy for him. He put so much work into this organization, so much carry over the years, and so I'm glad to be part of it and getting him to the next level.

And walking from the court to the locker room is amazing, place is packed, finally. Place is packed, you give them a prize like that, there's nothing better.

Q. Donovan hit that 33-footer to start that second half and I could have score I saw you smile and shake your head and then you went off, but what were you thinking in that moment, the team's lowest moment in the game then, as you guys started the comeback?

TERANCE MANN: He hit that, I was like, "Man, he don't want to go home." That was my first thought.

But then I just had to lock in and do what I had to do. They were leaving me open. Just shoot the open shot and try to will our way back in the game. Donovan is a great player. I've been playing against Donovan since 8th grade. We played against each other at every level, middle school, high school basketball, high school AU; college, he went to Louisville, I went to Florida State, ACC, and now here on the big stage. He's a great player. (Nic Batum chanting "MVP" in background).

Q. When you were in the zone doing what you just did, what was going through your mind at the time?

TERANCE MANN: Nothing, really. You know, what was going through my mind was my assignment and I was guarding Donovan. You know, guarding Jordan Clarkson. That was just my assignment, defensive end. Offense is going to take care of itself as long as you're confident in your game. But I'm just thinking about trying not to let my man score and trying not to let them score.