NBA WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS: MAVERICKS VS. WARRIORS

May 18, 2022

Andrew Wiggins

Golden State Warriors

Game 1: Postgame

Warriors 112, Mavericks 87

Q. We were asking yesterday, but what's it like knowing you are going to have Luka Doncic for most of the game and picking him up full court sometimes. What was your mentality?

ANDREW WIGGINS: Just make him work, that was the main thing, 94 feet, just make him work, pick him up, make everything tough for him. He's a good player, great player, so he's going to make shots. He's going to do his thing but just stay on him, make it tough.

Q. Is that tiring for you at all when you have to cover full court?

ANDREW WIGGINS: I mean, eh, I feel like I'm still young. I don't really get too tired. I'm locked in. I'm motivated, and when you see it work or I feel like it's helping us play better, it just motivates me to do it more. I'm not tired or nothing. You know, it's adrenaline. I just feel good.

Q. You're not trying to rip his dribble? What are your goals?

ANDREW WIGGINS: Just make him work. That's it. Just try not to let him get comfortable. And every shot, everything he does, make it tough.

Q. When you were watching Game 7 against the Suns thinking, what you are going to do against this guy, what was going through your mind? And did you decide right then and there that you were going to do your best to stop him?

ANDREW WIGGINS: Yeah, he's a hell of a player. You know there's going to be nights like that. He's a force. You know, he's really, really good, talented, he can do everything. So just try to limit him and just, like I said, make it tough.

Q. Did you see him getting frustrated at all?

ANDREW WIGGINS: Nah, I was playing defense and if the ball was the other way, I was running back. I didn't really focus too much on it.

Q. The last few games, I feel like we've seen more joyous reactions from you and you've been playing better as the playoffs have gone on. Is there a different level that you're bringing in the postseason?

ANDREW WIGGINS: For sure. Everything right now is very detailed. Everything matters and just doing everything I can to help win, regardless of what the task is or what the challenge is, I'm just going to try my best.

Q. You talked about the adrenaline on the defensive end and it doesn't tire you out or anything but does that translate on to the offensive end where you're hunting your shot and trying to be more assertive on that end?

ANDREW WIGGINS: Yeah, for sure. That's one thing about me, I feel like defense helps fuel my offense. That helps me get going.

Q. If I said Otto Porter was the best mid-range shooter on the team, would you take exception to that?

ANDREW WIGGINS: Yeah, he's knockdown. He don't miss that mid-range shot. That's him.

Q. Better than you?

ANDREW WIGGINS: I'll give him that. I'm trying to get away from the mid-range right now. So I'll give him that.

Q. Have you decided you want to get away from the mid-range?

ANDREW WIGGINS: I was just joking. I'm still going to shoot it.

Q. Gary is the guy that oftentimes did pick up guys full court. Obviously he's not around, when he went down, did you tell yourself in your mind, I've got to lead that type of defender more?

ANDREW WIGGINS: Yeah, Gary is a hell of a defender. He is the type of defender that changes the game. So when he went out, you know, everyone has to step up, everybody. And me, you know, me and him usually guard the best team's offensive player.

So just got to bring it. Make it tough for him. Pick up where he left off.

Q. Guarding Luka, obviously he's a huge threat as a scorer but also as a playmaker. Does your approach take into account both of those things or are you trying to keep him from getting his teammates going? Where is the balance of scoring versus playmaking the way you go at him?

ANDREW WIGGINS: I'm not sure. Just try and make it tough for him. You know, whatever happens after that, happens. You know, he's going to make shots. You know he's going to find his teammates. I'm just trying to just make it tough.

Q. Klay made a comment that he felt like being here has allowed you to be yourself. I wonder if you do agree with that, being here with the Warriors, does it allow you to be yourself in ways that you had not before?

ANDREW WIGGINS: It helps me see a different side of the game. Being here, the culture, you know, the people, organization, you know, most importantly, just being around, you know, winners, and a winning team, winning organization, Hall of Famers, future Hall of Famers. You know, it's been great.

Q. You talked earlier this week about when you were coming to the Warriors, how excited you were to be with a winning franchise and now that you guys are winning and this is your Western Conference Finals debut, how much are you enjoying this ride of the postseason so far?

ANDREW WIGGINS: I'm enjoying it. I'm enjoying it. We've got a chance here to do something special, so I'm going to enjoy every part of the way.