Hawks 130, Wizards 121
Q. What do you think was the issue after you guys' good start?
DENI AVDIJA: I feel like when the other team goes on a run, we kind of panic, and I feel like we shouldn't. We play good, we go on a lead, we play together, and something happened. Honestly we've got to figure it out because that's like the third time we're leading, we're playing good, and then something changes, and suddenly we're losing by 20.
I don't know what it is, but we've got to play harder, honestly.
Q. Wes talked about their physicality kind of throwing you guys off a little bit. Was that something that played a role at all?
DENI AVDIJA: It's part of it for me. It was just like we kept snowballing. I feel like they started going on a run, we started taking bad shots, we started doing stuff that we don't usually do in our DNA, and it's really tough for the other team to run.
We're not the most talented team. As I said, we're underdogs. Honestly, we've got to play the right way if we want a chance to win. We don't have the luxury to really sit back on defense, shoot bad shots because other teams will catch up.
Q. I know obviously they needed your defense lately, but when you're in those late-game situations, how much can you take those as things you want to improve on, things you want to do in your game? You had a little bit of everything tonight.
DENI AVDIJA: Honestly, my defense is my bread and butter. I'm always going to be there. It's always going to be part of myself, my game. I'm capable. I'm capable of creating and I'm capable of creating for my teammates. I'm capable of taking important shots, and that's what I aim for.
I want to evolve my game. I think I have the capability to do that. It's just a matter of time.
For now, I'm sticking to my role, I'm mastering my role, I'm dominating simple, and then I'm going to take it from there.
Q. How much are you seeing your work in the off-season on your game paying off?
DENI AVDIJA: Oh, it definitely pays off. You know, it's still early to say. We're still like four games in. But I want to say that honestly, everybody I worked with this summer, they did a great job. I feel confident. I feel like it takes me some time to get in a rhythm, but once I get in a rhythm, I feel the work is there. I feel strong. I feel like my shot is good. I'm confident.
Honestly, it's just the start of the season. I think while I'm going to catch rhythm and the season goes by, I'm going to be more consistent.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports