NBA PLAY-IN TOURNAMENT: TIMBERWOLVES vs CLIPPERS

April 12, 2022

Reggie Jackson

Postgame Press Conference

Timberwolves 109, Clippers 104

Q. Reggie, looking at how the fourth quarter ended, how the game changed from 10-point lead to losing, what do you feel was the biggest factor of trying to score?

REGGIE JACKSON: They did a good job, physicality, with their length. They never stopped fighting. Unfortunately we didn't close out the way we should in the fourth. But credit to them for the way they kept battling, the way they stayed resilient. They came out with a win.

Q. What was the difficulty defending them specifically when Kat was out of the game?

REGGIE JACKSON: You mean the fourth or?

Q. Overall, but especially down the stretch.

REGGIE JACKSON: Just offensive rebounding on their end. They was moving it, got the open shots they wanted, started hitting some threes.

Really, some our live ball turnovers really got them going, got them out. Just got to be better at protecting the ball in the fourth.

Q. You're usually pretty upbeat about everything. Is a one-game play-in situation heavier than a normal playoff loss?

REGGIE JACKSON: I don't know. They're all similar. It's just a tough loss. Fortunately we got one on Friday.

I don't know if it weighs heavier. It's just one that slipped through our hands so it sucks.

Q. What did you learn from this one?

REGGIE JACKSON: That they're a good team. They're a resilient team. You got to keep playing a full game. Like I said, I got to be better at protecting the ball on the court, getting us in our sets, get us some easy shots.

We learned they're definitely a scrappy team, a team that continues to battle. Best of luck to them going forward in the playoffs.

Q. Last year's experience, was that valuable for you guys?

REGGIE JACKSON: I hope so. I definitely hope that we keep our spirits high, that we understand we still got another one on Friday, that we control our own destiny.

I believe spirits are still good in the locker room. Like I said, it just sucks to let this one slip through our fingers. Guys are positive. We feel like we know what we have to do coming on Friday.

Tomorrow we're going to watch the game, see what unfolds, see who we get, the opponent, then we believe in our coaching staff to have a great game plan for us, for us to dial in on Thursday. Then we'll try to implement that on Friday, come out and attack to the best of our ability and try to come out with a win.

Q. Did you see the woman run on to the court?

REGGIE JACKSON: No. All I seen, looked back at the end, I seen somebody down at the other basket. I was wondering why play stopped. We was arguing about it, whether the free throw was taken or not. Chatting with a few of the other guys on the team about that.

We were lost. We were talking to each other, trying to see who saw what. We were worried. We weren't sure if somebody ran on the court, was having a seizure. Discombobulated. Happy to get the game become going. Hopefully all is well.

Q. What was it like playing against Pat Bev?

REGGIE JACKSON: Hats off to him. I mean, he came here and he's done something that he set out to do. Really wanted to help get them back in the playoffs. Like I said, best of luck to them going forward.

It's always fun playing against Pat. Especially when we play against him as a defender, two guys going to their strength. Just like the way he competed. Fortunate enough for him and their team, they got the win. Unfortunately for us. Fortunate we have another one on Friday.

Like I said, it's always fun competing against him. I wish we came out on top. But fortunately enough we have another one on Friday.

Have a great one. See y'all Friday.