NBA WESTERN CONFERENCE FIRST ROUND: CLIPPERS vs SUNS

April 22, 2023

Russell Westbrook

Postgame Press Conference

Suns 112, Clippers 100

Q. Russ, I guess Ty was talking about how the small things and the margin for errors for you guys are what kills you but you can't fault the effort. Overall what can you say about the effort you guys gave out there tonight?

RUSSELL WESTBROOK: You know, when I think about this team, just fighting, regardless of the obstacles. Obviously, you know that's a good team on the other side but one thing about this team, we never quit, and you got to keep fighting. Like I said, it's always the first to four, and we've got to go in there and get one.

Q. You guys have been right there the last couple games. What do you think it will take to win Game 5?

RUSSELL WESTBROOK: Keep attacking the rim. Keep attacking the basket, and man, hopefully, you know, we get rewarded for doing that.

But you know, we'll see.

Q. With Kawhi and Paul missing, has your leadership in the actual game changed at all, especially since you've had to pick up more of the scoring load?

RUSSELL WESTBROOK: No. Just, you know, you lead and communicate with guys differently based on ways to get them responding. Throughout games, I try to find ways to lead, you know, not talk too much, but make points, especially this time of year.

Like Coach said, it's important; our margin for error is very little and we can't make small mistakes. So throughout the game I try to find ways to communicate and stay on top of that.

Q. Following up on the margin for error so thin and with so many new guys since the trade deadline, games like today and obviously the previous game here, what's the greatest challenge getting into a flow?

RUSSELL WESTBROOK: You know, like you mention time; sometimes, this time of year, not having time, and obviously with PG and Kawhi down, changes rotation, changes guys in and out of the lineup.

But we make no excuses around here. Next Man Up mentality, and we've just got to make sure we rally around each other, keep competing and leave it on the floor, and that's all you can do.

Q. With Kawhi and PG out, what's been your mental approach, knowing you're the Hall of Famer left on court right now for this team?

RUSSELL WESTBROOK: Same mental approach. Just the road changed a little bit. Obviously be more aggressive but not just that. Find ways to keep defending at a high level and leaving everything that I have on the floor, like I do every single night, and I can live with the result.

Q. You just talked about leaving everything left on the floor. You've had 37, 30, the last two games. How much more can you do to try to keep the season alive, you personally?

RUSSELL WESTBROOK: Finding ways, when I watch film, always, I'm so hard on myself of figuring out ways to be better, not just being more efficient, taking care of the ball, defending better, not giving up on plays.

I'm a guy that I really strive myself on doing everything at an elite level. So when I watch tonight, maybe I could have did something better. Give guys more shots; make the game easy for them so they don't have to work so hard with my abilities, and I find ways to do more as much as I can to try to get us a win.

Q. I know a big part of this series has been trying to defend without fouling, and you see how the game is officiated when the Suns have the ball, but when you look at the fact that, I'm pretty sure every 30-point game you've ever had, you've attempted at least one free throw.

RUSSELL WESTBROOK: Fosho.

Q. You didn't attempt one tonight. Like when you see that --

RUSSELL WESTBROOK: I don't know if I attempted on last game.

Q. How do you adjust to that?

RUSSELL WESTBROOK: I don't know. I don't know. I just attacking tack, man. Stay positive. Don't get distracted. That's one thing, just being in the league over time, when fouls, they don't call, and just concentrating on making the shot. If they call a fall, they call it. If they don't, they don't.

But yeah, it's unfortunate, man, but come whenever we play again Tuesday, I'm right back at it, attacking the rim, and finding ways to make the game easy for my team, my teammates around me.

Q. In the fourth quarter when you're scoring and you're doing everything you can to keep the team in it, adn KD hits something and Chris hits something, and you're in time-outs or you're on the floor, do you allow yourself to think: What would it be like if PG or Kawhi were on other side with me and it would feel like a more fair fight?

RUSSELL WESTBROOK: No, honestly, man, I just try to instill confidence in our guys not to put our head down. You know they are going to make some tough shots throughout the series, and that's part of leadership. You've got to make sure you rally around the guys you have and find ways to instill confidence in them, you know through the toughest moments, not through when things are going well but through tough moments as well.