NBA PLAY-IN TOURNAMENT: PELICANS vs CLIPPERS

April 15, 2022

Tyronn Lue

Pregame Press Conference

Q. Any word on Luke, if he's going tonight?

TYRONN LUE: Luke is out.

Q. Do you have starters?

TYRONN LUE: I can't remember.

Q. When you look at the circumstances, obviously this team has been here, playing without Paul a lot, how do you expect -- not expect guys to step up, but what do you need from guys to replicate the success against this Pelicans team?

TYRONN LUE: Just play their role. Not try and do too much. I think we've got to do it collectively, not just one person trying to do more than they're capable of doing.

We have a good enough team in the locker room. We've been doing it all season long. Like I said, we didn't want to see PG go down, but that's no excuse for us. We've been doing it all season long and guys are ready to play and guys are ready to step up.

Q. Because you guys have had a lot of practice this year at losing people the day of the game because of various reasons, is it that quick of a switch for you to go, refocus, okay, new game plan, plug and play?

TYRONN LUE: Yep, that's it, plug and play, let's go.

Q. When we talked to Paul when he came back in March, he was talking about the hardest part for him during his three months out was seeing his teammates and the extra burden they had to carry in his absence. If you've talked to him today, how is he feeling on today of all days to not be able to be here?

TYRONN LUE: He's disappointed. He's down. I just told him we've got to win this game for you and get ready for the next series. That's my mindset going into tonight's game. It is what it is. Can't look back on it, we've got to move forward, so we're ready to go tonight.

Q. Kawhi last postseason goes down, obviously didn't play this year, PG missed time. Does it almost feel like all of this has led to a moment where you guys are so prepared being without those guys, you're like, this is nothing new for you and you're just ready to go?

TYRONN LUE: A little bit. Like of course you'd love to have those guys, but they're not here. My focus is on the guys that's in the locker room right now. It's a big game for us. Our season is on the line, so we've got to be locked in and ready to go.

Q. Obviously the last two games without PG you've had great offensive nights. Is there anything you can take from those games and kind of put it into tonight or give you some level of confidence going in?

TYRONN LUE: We've got confidence regardless, no matter who's on the floor, we think we have a chance, an opportunity to win. We're going to miss Luke, as well, because he's a big part of PG being out, his shooting and running plays for him. But every time we step on the floor we've got confidence we can win.

Q. This Pelicans team started 1-12, 3-16. What did you think about the Willie has done keeping them steady throughout that?

TYRONN LUE: Unbelievable job. Just staying the course, believing in his philosophies and what he believes in, and then bringing his team along. I think the acquisition of CJ, bringing him in, a veteran guard who has leadership, who's been in big playoff moments, big playoff games, so bringing him over has been big for those guys, as well.

Willie is doing a phenomenal job and just happy for him and the success he's had this year.

Q. What was the general feeling you got from your team after shootaround today?

TYRONN LUE: We felt good.

Q. Because PG went into health and safety protocols, is everybody else available?

TYRONN LUE: Yes, sir.

Q. What happens with the coaching staff when you get news of this this morning? You guys like obviously had a plan?

TYRONN LUE: Yes. Yeah, I told you this year has made me a better coach. I think just being able to adjust on the fly. I pride myself in being prepared for every moment, but with the COVID, with injuries, this year has been a great learning experience for me. We've been dealing with it all year, so it's nothing new, no excuses. It is what it is.

Q. You you've often credited you guys' vets with getting through moments of adversity. Did you see any examples of that at shootaround from those guys?

TYRONN LUE: Yeah, Marcus and Reggie just speaking up and saying we've been here before, we've got to lock in and win one game. We hate the circumstances, but it is what it is.

Like I said, we're not going to hang our heads and we don't have any time for that. Our season is on the line, and it starts tonight and it starts with me. Having these guys ready to play, that's my job and we're ready to go.

Q. Ty, where exactly were you when you first found out about PG?

TYRONN LUE: Asleep.

Q. You got a text or a phone call?

TYRONN LUE: I had a couple phone calls I missed and then I woke up and made the phone calls back. Yeah, disappointing news.

Q. Did PG himself call you?

TYRONN LUE: No, no.