Washington Wizards Media Conference

Sunday, December 17, 2023

Washington, DC, USA

Wes Unseld Jr.

Media Conference


Suns 112, Wizards 108

Q. Why do you think the offense slowed down so much in the fourth quarter?

WES UNSELD JR.: I thought we were really organized, actually. We wanted to play with pace, and we want to make sure we're executing, and I thought we were for the most part, executed well and just didn't make shots. That's not the only reason, but really struggled especially from three in the fourth quarter.

But I didn't mind our process. I thought there was a lot of positives there. Obviously the fouling second half, particularly third quarter got them I think a little momentum. There was some coverage, lack-of-communication situations that led to mishaps, a few second-chance points, but in general I didn't think there was an issue with the offense.

I liked the things we did, and in general I thought we had some carryover from the other night, so that's a positive, and continue to build on that.

Q. Would the offense have executed better if the game hadn't slowed down a little bit, turned into more of a half-court game?

WES UNSELD JR.: I think potentially. You always want to push, but we had to run some guys longer than we wanted due to foul trouble, and you run the risk of running out of gas.

I'll err on the side of execution instead of just trying to play fast and take quick shots.

Q. Down one with about 30 seconds in the game, Kuz helped off of Durant on a Booker drive. Should he have helped on that?

WES UNSELD JR.: I mean, it's easy in hindsight to say yes. We've been stressing being in the right spot, show a crowd, make him kick the ball. I think he did the right thing.

Q. What specifically is the carryover you're happy to see tonight?

WES UNSELD JR.: I thought we tried to play team ball. I think the ball was moving. Obviously the statistics don't show because we struggled to make shots, but I thought we were trying to play the right way and do the right things, so I think that's carryover.

Q. When you're seeing those shots kind of stop going in or tail off like that, is that a trend that you're seeing, guys being rushed or being out of position?

WES UNSELD JR.: I'd have to look at the film exactly to that point, but I think six or seven of those missed ones in the fourth were open. I can live with that.

Q. What did you see from Gafford tonight?

WES UNSELD JR.: Gafford was unbelievable. He takes a beating some nights, and he just keeps going. 26, I think 17 rebounds, was a presence for us. That's a hard thing to do, just always quarterbacking the defense and being tasked with protecting the rim at an elite level.

But he made play after play to kind of keep us in it, and to his credit, never gets a touch by design, but he makes the most of those minutes.

FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports
139776-1-1002 2023-12-18 03:56:00 GMT

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