LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS MEDIA CONFERENCE

May 30, 2021

Kawhi Leonard

Postgame Press Conference

Los Angeles Clippers 106, Dallas Mavericks 81

Q. Ty was saying after Game 2, he felt like you knew how you could attack this team. What has jumped out most about the changes and how you've executed them?

KAWHI LEONARD: Guys just playing hard. We're helping each other. We're trusting each other a little bit more. We played pretty good defense the last two games.

Q. Ty was also saying that the pace and flow you were playing with tonight and the other night was really needed. Did that stem from getting consistent stops?

KAWHI LEONARD: Yeah, but I feel like we were playing with pace the first two games we lost. You know, it was a very high-scoring game, Game 2. Yeah, like I've been saying, we just have to keep doing what we're doing on the defensive end, getting rebounds, getting stops.

Q. At the end of the game, you were flexing your hand; is your hand okay? Is there any issue there at all?

KAWHI LEONARD: Yeah, I'm good. I'm good to go. You know, just stab at it trying to get that rebound, but yeah, I'm good.

Q. After you guys went down 0-2, you said in the regular season, you might lose two games in a row and you might start a new winning streak. What's the key to doing that and winning your first home game in this series?

KAWHI LEONARD: Like I've been saying, we've got to come out with a defensive mentality. Keep trusting each other on both ends of the floor. Play with pace, urgency on the defensive end. Limiting him to one shot. You know, keeping our turnovers low.

Q. You've been consistent about the emphasis on the defense. The start of this game, outside of Chris at that points getting those first couple buckets, you were great in it carried through for your best performance of the season. How has the team responded to you consistently harping on the defense being the key to this series?

KAWHI LEONARD: I think that we responded well. You know, especially coming back from that lead in Game 3, you know, tonight, starting off with a good quarter and building on that throughout the game. You know, the job is not done yet, so we've got to keep having an even-keel mindset and get ready for the next one.

Q. Reggie Jackson has been a spark in these two games. Did you see him getting better as the playoffs continue?

KAWHI LEONARD: Do I see him getting better?

Q. Yes.

KAWHI LEONARD: Of course. He's level-headed. He believes in himself. He puts the time in in the gym when you guys can't see it, and yeah, you know, when he's in the right mind and he's trusting everyone and we're trusting him. Like I've been saying, everybody trusts one another. He's a hell of a player.