NBA WESTERN CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS: LAKERS vs WARRIORS

May 10, 2023

Darvin Ham

Los Angeles Lakers

Game 5: Postgame

Warriors 121, Lakers 106

Q. Darvin, what do you know about Anthony Davis at this point?

DARVIN HAM: Yeah, obviously everyone saw he took a shot to the head, but we just checked in on him. He seems to be doing really good already. That's just where he's at. That's the status of it right now.

Q. Do you know any next steps in terms of him talking to doctors --

DARVIN HAM: We just got done with the game.

Q. Darvin, setting that aside, what did you think the difference was starting at the end of the second quarter, Golden State extends the lead, and then start of the third they push it further?

DARVIN HAM: I mean, obviously they're a prideful group. Salute to them, taking care of business on their home floor. That's just how the Playoffs go. They came out, they had the crowd behind them, they was able to see some shots go in early, really got it going early from the three-point line, but you know, it is what it is. We've just got to come out ready to do the same on our home floor.

Q. (No microphone).

DARVIN HAM: I mean, we defended better in the second half. They had 11 threes at halftime, ended up with 13 for the game. I just thought early on we had too many turnovers, gave them some gimmes, some offensive rebounds that turned into points for them, turnovers that turned into points for them. Just got to do a better job of taking care of the ball, and again, continue to get hits on offense in terms of setting screens and playing downhill and being ready to make a quick decision on catch.

Q. You guys shot only 15 free throws tonight. Why do you think that was? Was that an aggression factor for you guys or was there other things that you saw?

DARVIN HAM: I mean, we played the same way we always play. I don't know. I don't know what's a foul anymore.

Q. The narrative over the past 48 hours out of Golden State was that you guys embellish and flop. Do you think that impacted at all the way this game was officiated tonight?

DARVIN HAM: We play a physical brand of basketball. We don't teach flopping, we don't teach head snaps. You see Bron, he's got a thousand scratches on his arms, same with AD, same with Austin Reaves, same with Lonnie Walker. It's unfortunate that it comes to that, but we hadn't done it all year, and we're damn sure not going to start now, looking for a third party to dive in and help us.

We're just going to coach our team, just going to play the way we play, a physical, forceful brand of basketball and just let the chips fall where they may.

Q. I know the game just ended, but what's key in this next 24, 48 hours to hit reset so you can get back in the home court and do what you've done eight straight home games?

DARVIN HAM: The recovery game. We'll go back and dissect the film, see areas where we can get better, and go from there. But the biggest thing for us is recovery. Getting ourselves packed up, getting on a plane, getting back to LA and start to fill our cup up for Friday night.

Q. Draymond scored 20 tonight, which he almost never does --

DARVIN HAM: Is there something going on with the mic? I barely can hear anyone.

Q. Draymond scored 20 tonight. What did you see? Why did you think he was able to get loose offensively?

DARVIN HAM: They came out aggressive, and there's going to be opportunities for him the way we've been defending him, and tonight he made shots.