NBA PLAY-IN TOURNAMENT: TIMBERWOLVES vs CLIPPERS

April 12, 2022

Paul George

Postgame Press Conference

Timberwolves 109, Clippers 104

Q. Paul, the plan worked to get Kat frustrated, in foul trouble, then goes out, obviously it seemed like there was no backup plan after that. How do you diagnose how things went so well for you to start the game, getting Kat out of rhythm, the way the fourth quarter unfolded?

PAUL GEORGE: Yeah, I mean, I thought we executed the game plan. Kat was obviously the main focus. But, you know, it's the reason why this team is playing at a high level and they're moving on. They deserved the playoff spot.

They have a talented roster, so when Kat goes down, D'Lo steps up, Anthony Edwards steps up, then their role guys, they shine in their roles. It's really what happened.

Thought that fourth quarter, 50/50 balls, we didn't get. We didn't rebound well enough. I thought we just didn't execute great down the stretch.

Q. You know Pat is famously an irritant. How did you deal with that and how did his energy affect you but what has he done for his team?

PAUL GEORGE: I mean, it shows. I mean, they got guys that are a little bit more confident. His energy and his persona, you know, rubbed off, they made an impact on that roster.

I know what it was coming into this game. I wasn't going to allow Pat to do his antics and try to get me flustered. I knew it's all for show. It's for the crowd. Gets the crowd involved.

I love it. I love it. I miss it. He do it on our side because it's contagious. I think when he's in that mode, it ignites the team, ignites the arena. You need energy guys like that.

Q. Paul, did you feel a difference in how Minnesota was guarding? The third quarter, you found a rhythm. Obviously the whole team didn't have that rhythm to close it out. Do you feel there was a difference in how they were guarding you first half, second half?

PAUL GEORGE: Yeah, I mean, I thought the beginning it was more just excitement, playoff atmosphere. There was just more the excitement. I was rushing things.

But after the game settled, took my time, realized the shots and opportunities I was getting. Just started shooting them with confidence, taking my time in those possessions.

That's what I did. I got to my spots. I'm most confident every time I touch the floor. It's just about focusing and locking in on the shots that I get. I did that. I was able to knock shots down.

Q. When you look at this matchup Friday, obviously just as fresh, but how do you get yourself mentally ready for what's to come Friday night? How do you plan on getting yourself ready for what those two teams, the Spurs and Pelicans, can offer?

PAUL GEORGE: Honestly it's not even about the matchup. It's win or go home. Obviously we don't win, we go home. I could care less who we play. The mindset is we have to win regardless. There's no pep talk, X's and O's. We got to win. We got to win if we want to continue our season.