NBA WESTERN CONFERENCE FIRST ROUND: CLIPPERS vs SUNS

April 18, 2023

Kawhi Leonard

Postgame Press Conference

Suns 123, Clippers 109

Q. Kawhi, I've got to ask about the mid range shots that the Suns made. It's not like y'all are leaving them open. Y'all are there, y'all are contesting. They made eight on Sunday, they made 21 today. When you see that, how do you feel like you can defend or what can you do about that?

KAWHI LEONARD: That's what they do. They're talented basketball players, and it's expected for them to make those shots. They like to shoot them.

That's what they're looking for.

Q. When you look at the rest of the defensive execution, y'all did a decent job in the paint, y'all rebounded when there were rebounds. Where do you feel like you can be better executing defensively?

KAWHI LEONARD: Just trying to, I guess, make them give up the ball, see if we can make them miss, I guess try to block some. They shot 58. 40 from three, 58 from the field. Just got to do a better job defensively, and yeah, just see if they can miss.

Q. What do you think of some of the defensive looks they've been giving you in the double-teams and how not just you but the whole team is handling them?

KAWHI LEONARD: I think we're doing a good job. We know what's going to happen coming into the game. I feel like we executed most of the sets when they did come and double. Yeah, so that's what I think about it.

Q. Now that you've had two games, how do you feel as you head back to LA about where you guys are at in the series?

KAWHI LEONARD: We're in a good place. We split on the road, so we've got to go back home and try to protect our home court.

Q. With how many mid rangers they put up, does this somewhat feel like maybe a battle of threes versus twos where if you get up enough threes you can counteract the amount of twos that they put up and make?

KAWHI LEONARD: I don't think we go into the game feeling that way. So no. I mean, they're mid range shooters. They're great at it. It's like lay-ups for them.

Q. But for you guys in particular, do you feel like you guys are getting enough threes and enough good looks from three and do you want to take more threes?

KAWHI LEONARD: I mean, we shot 30 tonight. I don't think we were a high rated three-point team of the season. I mean, we just have to play the game and see what open shots we get.

Q. You guys have found some success when you've sat. Starting the second quarter, the bench lineups really extended the lead. What are you seeing when you sit, that they're able, even when they have KD and Booker still out there, that you guys can kind of extend that lead and hold firm your advantage even when you're out?

KAWHI LEONARD: Just still doing a good job of just being aggressive, attacking the paint, playing with one another, and shots are falling.