Washington Wizards Media Conference

Wednesday, February 7, 2024

Washington, DC, USA

Brian Keefe

Media Conference


Cavaliers 114, Wizards 106

Q. Coach, it was a close game for the vast majority of the game. What do you think was the turning point?

BRIAN KEEFE: They made a couple touch shots down the stretch. We talked about how we were going to respond to something. We didn't love our effort the last game versus Phoenix.

I thought our guys collectively responded, came out and played a good defensive game against a high-powered offensive team. I liked our compete. Fourth quarter they made some tough shots.

Q. What was behind the decision to put Jordan back in there?

BRIAN KEEFE: Jordan is one of our guys. Jordan has made big shots for us, especially since I've taken over. Hit a huge three in San Antonio. I want Jordan in those moments because he has no fear. He's going to take the shot when it's open, so I'm always going to believe in him and go with him.

Q. A tough night for him. What does he have to do to bounce back mentally to have a good game against Boston?

BRIAN KEEFE: I'm not worried about Jordan in the slightest. He got in foul trouble. Sometimes that can throw your rhythm off. But I liked how he played tonight. He was getting in the paint. He was finding people. He just had a tough rhythm with the fouls, and sometimes that can happen.

Q. You talked about liking your guys' competitiveness. What did they do in the third?

BRIAN KEEFE: I thought that was a great learning part and growth for our team. They came out and hit us with a 7-0 run to start. We made a stand, got physical, started defending, scrambling around, multiple efforts. We made a little push for ourselves. That was great growth. That was the bounce-back that we wanted to see tonight.

Q. Seems like Kyle, they D'd up later on him. What did you see in the fourth quarter with him?

BRIAN KEEFE: Yeah, they put Mobley on him a little bit. They were kind of putting two on the ball a little bit, shading to his direction. But when you're a great player, you're going to have schemes against you, so...

I think we got good shots, the shots we wanted at the end, but they made a few more than we did.

FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports
140947-1-1004 2024-02-08 02:59:00 GMT

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