Wizards 109, Bucks 99
Q. You guys win the rebounding battle 61 to 43, 18 to 7 offensively. What did you see today?
KYSHAWN GEORGE: I mean, it's part of the game. Just got to go grab the ball. Been saying since the beginning of the year the ball is ours. When the ball is in the air nobody has possession of it. Just got to go grab it. Think we did a good job of that tonight.
Q. Justin was playing 5. How does he do it? How does he play so much above his size?
KYSHAWN GEORGE: I mean, that's his style and that's what Justin does. All credit to him. He's an adaptable guy. You know, he's in and out of rotations, but when he comes in he's a professional and knows where to go and how to do it and does it at very high level, so we're lucky to have him as a teammate.
Yeah, he's just going out there and finding where he can be efficient for the team.
Q. Everyone in here knows you guys love to win. Seems like the team took a little bit of extra joy out of this one. Is that on target? If so, why?
KYSHAWN GEORGE: I actually was very happy after the last two wins, today and the game before. The game before because -- first of all the game before we closed out the game well, which is something we didn't necessarily do throughout the season, and we were able to get a win closing out the game well by getting some stops.
And today, you know, it's just being able to string two games in a row. We didn't necessarily have the best offensive night. The rhythm was kind of weird. But we were able to stick together, come up with stops at the end. I think that's important for us, is how we can win games consistently if we're not having our best offensive game.
Q. So despite that, the team still managed to have five players in double figures. You led the charge. Also, sidenote, the team was dominant from start to finish, 5-0 lead, then (indiscernible); just kept that going. What do you think played the biggest factor in the team being able to be so dominant in a consistent way, not letting the other team get out of control scoring and keeping some sort of rhythm throughout the game?
KYSHAWN GEORGE: I think we were doing the simple stuff well. We have a couple simple metrics, controllable that we can control on every single possession that we're trying to do. I think when we focus on that, those stuff lead to winning. So if we focus on that every single possession and make sure we control what we can control every possession, then we have a chance of winning and winning that possession in particular.
And the more possessions you win the more games you win.
Q. Kyshawn, one foul tonight. Two in the last game. I think in January, that's this month, you've been averaging the lowest fouls of the season. What have you been seeing differently and how has that progression been for you, playing without fouling?
KYSHAWN GEORGE: I just think I got rid of the stupid ones, the frustration fouls and stuff like that. Obviously I still have some, but I think it's just, yeah, got rid of the stupid ones and just make sure I keep going.
Q. Bilal had the big stop at the end against Kuzma, drawing a foul actually. How big was that specific stop and how big was his defense overall tonight?
KYSHAWN GEORGE: That's what Bilal does. He is a; lock-down defender. Everybody needs to know that and acknowledge it. He doesn't get enough credit for what he's doing. Yeah, just did what he does. Just super proud of him to be able to come back, second game back, and be able to anchor our defense with Alex too. Super good to have him back.
Q. It was John Wall Night. Heard a lot about his extracurricular involvement in the city. How has his sort of legacy of community engagement affected this generation of Wizards players?
KYSHAWN GEORGE: To be totally honest with you, I'm not necessary super aware about of his community engagement, but I know he was a big leader in D.C., not only for the team, but also like you said, for the community.
So just being able to see that you're able to be a great basketball player and also have an impact on community is something that you look forward to as a player and try to model yourself after.
Q. Kyshawn, what does it say about Alex to be under the weather and to battle through that and have a career night, rebounding well?
KYSHAWN GEORGE: Yeah, actually the first thing I looked at is the stat sheets after the game; 17 rebounds. I said thank you because we need rebounding and because of him we won the rebounding battle.
Just shows his testament that this team wants to play. We're young and we want to get on the floor and compete every single night regardless of the circumstances. Yeah, just super happy for him to be able to be out there and help I was win.
Q. Malaki, I don't think too many people thought he was a guarantee to make the team out of camp. What has he brought to this team this season?
KYSHAWN GEORGE: He's a pro. Kind of the same like mentality as Justin. He just comes in and he knows how to play basketball, he knows how to hoop. He's great player. Just gets here and impacts the game how he can.
I'm really grateful for people coming off the bench having the same mindset to come in and just be able to hoop and not be oh, I played a couple minutes or whatever.
Yeah, they're professionals coming out to hoop and earning the minutes for sure.
Q. How would you compare the defensive chemistry you have with teammates like Alex and Bilal and the guys you've been playing with now for a season and a half?
KYSHAWN GEORGE: I mean, we got some steps to take. But I think it's starting to get easier. We trying to -- we know each other's tendencies. Alex, you know, great shot blocker and we know when to help and when not to help. We want him in the paint as much as possible. Same thing with Bilal. Us two are great defenders. We can switch off ball, switch on ball.
So just little things that make the defense more easy for us and builds confidence.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports