NBA WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS: CLIPPERS VS. SUNS

June 20, 2021

DeMarcus Cousins

LA Clippers

Game 1: Postgame

Phoenix Suns 120, Los Angeles Clippers 114

Q. It seemed like Devin Booker's dribble penetration caused havoc for you guys. How much of that was maybe you guys playing an emotional game 38 hours ago and just a quick turnaround and how much of it was maybe them executing well against you guys?

DeMARCUS COUSINS: I mean, it's obvious, the quick turnaround we had as a team. That being said, we're not really a team of many excuses. This was a very winnable game. We had some miscommunications, some missed assignments defensively, over-helping in some situations, missing rotations. There were a lot of things that were correctible on our end tonight that played a big part in the results of the game today.

So we'll plan on correcting those mistakes, righting the wrongs, and obviously adjusting and looking forward to a better showing.

Q. Before tip-off, Ty was talking about how Kawhi stayed engaged with you guys despite his absence, not being here. He's been really complimentary, Ty has, of the way PG and Kawhi have been engaged with their teammates. What have you seen from Kawhi even though he's not here with you guys, offering advice or what is he talking about?

DeMARCUS COUSINS: You know, he's still active. Still talking to the team. You know, putting his expertise on the game and just giving advice, pointers for guys that had to fill in for him and guys filling in for roles that are backups now. You know, he's still being that leader for the team, using his voice. And obviously the situation sucks that he's in, but he's engaged as much as he can be right now.

Q. And then with your role, even before Marcus went down today, did you feel like this was a series where you wouldn’t just play maybe a Game 1 or two, that maybe you could have a larger role in the series?

DeMARCUS COUSINS: I don't know. That's a question for T-Lue. All I can do is be ready when my name is called and support my teammates from the side and try to lead and be that extra voice on the sideline. So with that being said, whenever I'm called upon, I'll be ready.

Q. You were just talking about correcting mistakes. From what you've seen in this team, what do you expect of how you will make the adjustments over the next 24 hours?

DeMARCUS COUSINS: We'll adjust; I promise.

Q. What are some of the things that you've seen in the previous two rounds?

DeMARCUS COUSINS: We'll adjust for sure.

Q. When it comes to obviously you know what it takes to be an effective offensive big, what are you seeing from Deandre Ayton? And if you want to discuss the adjustments that were made in this game from the first half to the second half, that would be appreciated, as well.

DeMARCUS COUSINS: The adjustments for who?

Q. Deandre Ayton.

DeMARCUS COUSINS: What adjustments he made?

Q. The adjustments from the first half to the second half. We saw Zubac start the second half. Part of that probably was because of Marcus not being ready to go. But looked like you all did a better job after halftime on Ayton. What did you see from what Ayton was able to do in both halves?

DeMARCUS COUSINS: It kind of goes back to, it was a lot of situations where we over-helped, myself in particular. You know, we gave him that naked role down the middle. They keep the floor spread. They use the pick-and-roll to suck guys in, and we just have to do a better job of being in our rotations and not over-helping and being in the correct spot. Like I said, we will adjust and plan on having a better showing.

Q. What is the preparation that goes into being ready to play?

DeMARCUS COUSINS: Just trying be ready at all times. Keeping myself wired on the sideline. I don't know when my name is called, but I just want to be ready when it is. A lot of hot packs, a lot of coffee, a lot of all of the above, and whatever it takes.

Q. You called this like a feel-out game, and obviously with the situation you guys are up againstyou’re your team’s knack for coming back in series, does it feel like, considering that you guys were right there at the end with everything you were facing, is that something you guys can hold onto?

DeMARCUS COUSINS: Obviously we took some positives out of this game. We realize we made a lot of mistakes, and all the factors that's played into coming into the game, you know, the quick turnaround, all that. We lost by two baskets, which is, you know, it's a sign that we obviously can correct a lot of our mistakes. We've got a great chance of winning this game.

It's on us to, like I said, make these adjustments and just come out and have a better showing.