NBA PLAY-IN TOURNAMENT: TIMBERWOLVES vs CLIPPERS

April 12, 2022

Tyronn Lue

Postgame Press Conference

Timberwolves 109, Clippers 104

Q. (No microphone.)

TYRONN LUE: I thought they played their physicality up, you know, that second half. Like I said, we had a game plan how we wanted to attack them. They played a lot better without Kat on the floor.

They got into us defensively, switching a lot more stuff. I just didn't think we made the plays in those two quarters, like you're talking about.

I got to look at the film and kind of see what happened.

Q. (No microphone.)

TYRONN LUE: Well, we did a good job with Kat. Double-teams, our physicality, keeping him out of the paint. We did a good job with that.

When he went out, they kind of switched. D'Lo is the guy I was worried about them coming to because he's aggressive. D'Lo was the one that I was scared he could take over the game. He did that.

I should have did a better job adjusting, blitz a little bit more, try to get the ball out of his hands. He was pretty aggressive and was able to carry them home.

Q. We've asked you this in different times, but Pat's contribution to that team?

TYRONN LUE: He just brings some toughness. He brings some energy. Just whatever it takes to win. He's not worried about stats. He's just worried about winning.

Talked about that before the game. Like I said, he did a good job, especially in that second half, of just defending, getting into guys, irritating guys like he always does.

He's a big reason why this team is successful this year. I just think the mentality he brought over here has changed the team.

Q. You know his antics, how irritating he can be.

TYRONN LUE: Yeah, I mean, just got to be able to keep composure. Can't let it get to you. I thought at times he did. That's what he does. He's been with us here forever. We knew that coming into the game. We didn't handle it well. But whatever.

Q. Paul had the 17-point third quarter after you mentioned the physicality might have been something to adjust to over the course of the first half. How do you feel like Paul did as far as the third quarter turnaround? How can you get that over the course of a full game Friday?

TYRONN LUE: I mean, he did a great job. I thought he had every hand on the basketball. At times it kind of wore him down. At other times he had to guard D'Lo the other end. Only playing four, five games this year down the stretch, then having to do it on both sides, I thought took a lot out of him. But scoring the basketball, making the right play, I thought he did it a lot tonight.

Like I said, they played well. When big Kat went out, they found some new energy. Like I said, they was able to play faster. We got beat at the end of two quarters where they made threes, hurt us. The end of the first, the end of the third, those were huge shots. Just clean up a couple of those things.

Like I said, they played well. They did their job. They won the game.

Q. When Kat goes out, what is the calculus? Do you need a big on the floor, keep all wings?

TYRONN LUE: We was trying to keep Zubac on the floor, Vanderbilt on the floor. They went small, went with Naz. That hurt us because they were able to drive the basketball. Wasn't any shot blocking or rim protection. We were scoring. When they stopped scoring, we couldn't get stops. That kind of hurt us on the defensive end.

The point of attack, they just kind of seeked out the matchup they wanted and they was able to attack us, kind of play out of that.

Then we had to get Zubac on the floor for rim protection. It goes both ways.

Q. This had to feel like a playoff game, I assume.

TYRONN LUE: I mean, I thought the crowd was really into it. Coach finch has done a great job of putting his team in a position to make the playoffs. They haven't made it in a while. To come out and play the way they did, their star player going down, still be able to fight and claw and get this win just shows you the culture he's set and built over here.

Our game plan changed once big Kat went out of the game. Like I said, they played well. I thought they really picked up their physicality, were more aggressive than us. They were tougher. So they deserved to win the game.

Q. Is your mind thinking of adjustments for Minnesota?

TYRONN LUE: Yeah, there are some things I could have done differently. But whatever. Whoever wins, whoever we play on Friday, that's our focus now. Got one game to win to get into the playoffs. Like I said, we'll be ready to go on Friday.

Q. (No microphone.)

TYRONN LUE: Glue? She glued herself to the floor? No. I saw. I thought she fell out. I didn't know what happened to her. What you mean, glue?

Q. (No microphone.)

TYRONN LUE: Oh, no. I saw her laying down, I thought she was messed up.