Inteview quotes from Suns vs Wizards triple-overtime game

InsideHoops.com
December 23, 2018

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Saturday in Washington, the Wizards won a triple-overtime thriller against the Phoenix Suns, 149-146. In the win for the Wizards, Bradley Beal in 54 minutes had 40 points, 11 rebounds, 15 assists and 8 turnovers. But the big story for D.C., even in the loss, was the great play of center Thomas Bryant, who shot a perfect 14-of-14 for 31 points and 13 rebounds in 36 minutes of play. In the loss for the Suns, Devin Booker in almost 55 minutes of play had 33 points and 14 assists, T.J. Warren in 53 minutes had 28 points, eight rebounds and four assists, and rookie center Deandre Ayton in 38.5 minutes had 26 points and 17 rebounds.

Here are postgame Wizards interview quotes:

WIZARDS HEAD COACH SCOTT BROOKS

On the loss:

"Our fault in the end. Obviously, the direction we've been moving in, we don't want to lose. That's the mindset we have going into the games. You gotta do whatever you do to try to win games down the stretch. I know me myself, personally, I was very poor. So just watch film, learn from it, and move onto the next game."

On what they can learn from the game:

"You have to go back and rewatch it, so that's probably what we're doing on the plane. That's a lot of time, three overtimes. Our fault, we had a bunch of opportunities to win, and we didn't take advantage of it."

WIZARDS GUARD BRADLEY BEAL

On the game tonight:

“It’s tiring, but it’s fun. You always embrace those types of games, competitive games like that – down to the wire. It was definitely a gut check for us, with John [Wall] down. We have a lot of guys out. We added five new guys. If you look at our second group, it was a group of new guys out there. So, it was good for us to be able to adjust on the fly. Just all about effort, playing hard.”

On Thomas Bryant’s performance:

“MVP. All for it. All for it. That’s my boy. He plays his tail off every minute. Energy, finishing at the room, rebounding, blocking shots, contesting shots, being up on pick-and-rolls, making it tough. He did everything we needed him to do. He’s still young, still makes mistakes, but he makes them at 110%, so we live with them. He had 30 [points], so everybody’s going to be quiet about it.”

On his first career triple double:

“I would say I would never go out and try to get a triple-double. It’s the hardest thing to do. A couple years in a row I’ve had nine and nine or eight and nine, eight and eight. Like, damn you can’t get two rebounds, two assists? I finally got it, so I’m happy I got it, but I don’t play to get triple-doubles.”

WIZARDS CENTER THOMAS BRYANT

On taking away the three-point shot:

“They did a great job of just dropping – you know, everybody stayed home. We had good looks, we just missed a couple of them.”

On the Wizards’ defense:

“They just kept running pick-and-rolls and we were switching one through four, switching one through four–kinda went small and switched. Just about every time they drove, they got a foul…”

On the lack three-point shooting:

“They were going to drop their bigs, they just kept their weak side defenders at home on the shooters, so we had to get our threes in transition on drives and kicks and that’s it.”

SUNS FORWARD KELLY OUBRE JR.

On coming to the arena as an opposing player:

“It was definitely different. It was weird walking past the locker room to come over to this side. It was different for me. I was just taking it moment by moment. I did not really let it get to me too much.”

On still being able to play aggressively:

“I’m going to be me. It was just a competitive game. Everybody knew what was kind of at stake, and those guys definitely did not want to lose to us coming back here. We definitely wanted to win coming back here of course, but it went down to the wire. They made a couple plays late in the end and they got it. They came home with the victory.”

On his standing ovation from the fans:

“It is love, man. Love everybody in D.C, who genuinely rooted for me to succeed and I appreciate the love. You cannot really ask for anything more than that. That is kind of a moment that I will cherish forever and I will remember that forever man so I appreciate that.”

SUNS GUARD DEVIN BOOKER

On the loss:

"Our fault in the end. Obviously, the direction we've been moving in, we don't want to lose. That's the mindset we have going into the games. You gotta do whatever you do to try to win games down the stretch. I know me myself personally, I was very poor. So just watch film, learn from it, and move onto the next game."

On what they can learn from the game:

"You have to go back and rewatch it. So that's probably what we're doing on the plane. That's a lot of time, three overtimes. Our fault, we had a bunch of opportunities to win, and we didn't take advantage of it."

SUNS HEAD COACH IGOR KOKOSKOV

On tonight's game:

"It was a hell of an effort from both teams. The fans who love basketball, NBA games, I think they enjoyed watching this game -- just going through the overtimes. I think both teams competed. Little things, when you have flashbacks and you think about a game, we had a chance to finish the game in regulation... Bring it back in overtime. At that point, one possession, one ball -- it decided the game. The game was too long. We can pick up thing that kind of hurt us. Maybe you want [a] free throw, maybe you want offense rebound, maybe you want defensive coverage. But again, that's what was there. Overall, I think both teams competed and it was a fun game for fans to watch. We're disappointed because, obviously, when you put so much effort and energy, you're hoping the outcome is going to come your way."

On Bradley Beal:

"He's a great player. He's a great player. You know, we mentioned in the pregame that this team played very well last year when they were missing John Wall. John Wall is one of the most domination point guards in this league and we all know how good he is. But when the best player is not playing, the other guys are taking more responsibility and Beal, he came ready and understanding that his role tonight was a little bit different. He was solid. He put in great numbers. We definitely could've done a better job on him."

On Thomas Bryant:

"Big kid. Played hard. Very simple. Sets screens, goes to the basket, if he's open he dunks it. He played a lot of minutes... He's plays with high energy. Have respect for that. He played very hard and it was big tonight."