On the commonality between the slow starts in the first and third quarters:

"Yeah, I thought they were the more physical team, the more aggressive team to start the game. They played desperate. They played with a sense of urgency to start the game out. We kind of try to get ourselves walking into the game and that's not the way you can play against a team like this. The record is what it is for a reason."

On whether it was surprising that San Antonio, flying in the day of the game, started so strong:

"No, then it's surprising the way we started. We should have more energy. The game plan was in front of us. We've been a physical team. We've been an aggressive team. These last couple games we have started out that way. So, for us to come out not as sharp, not as aggressive, not as physical. Now mind you there was moments where we got caught early. It's hard to come back from a 24-6 free throw deficit early. But again there was still time when we were close in those games that we can't allow those things to get to us. Hard to come back from but we can't allow that to dictate how we continue to play."

On whether the team was prepared and what to take from Desmond Bane saying it felt more like a player's issue than coaching:

"Yeah, I take that it's that we're all taking ownership in this. I think we have to in the end of the day, what we walked through and what we looked at today in film was how this team plays. They get out in transition. They attack the basket. We got to sit down and guard and we started off initially with that, but then some fouls were called. So now you're playing against it with your big. But I just think overall we didn't give the entire effort that we needed to give to beat a team of this caliber."

On why effort has been an issue at times this season, not just tonight:

"That's a great question. As we continue to go forward and we'll talk to the group and see exactly what that looks like, but it should never be a factor of effort and energy coming out on a night against a team that really did just flying the day of the game."

On the adjustment with Jonathan Isaac and Wendell Carter Jr. regarding fouls and managing minutes against Victor Wembanyama:

"Yeah, I think that was it. Wendell picked up two fouls quickly, tried to switch the match up on him and put P on him for a little bit and then next thing you know that can't Wendell couldn't run that much longer than Ji couldn't run him for 14 minutes straight. So then you got to bring another guy in to manage those minutes against Wimby. Again, Wimby did a great job. Got to the free throw line 14 times. Again, him initiating some hits, but us initiating some as well. But again, in that beginning stretch, it was us not coming out with the energy that we needed to. But then also being able to try to come back from a 24 to 6 free throw deficit is tough to do when you're trying to be physical and you're not able to do so the way you need to be."

On what the team needs to show to win against the defending champions (OKC) next:

"Just the initial fight. I think that's what has to start in our game. You've got to start the game in an aggressive manner, a focused manner, understanding exactly how we're guarding, what we're trying to do, what we're trying to take away, and be disciplined in that regard. And I think that's what, you know, they're the best team in the West for a reason. And so our ability to guard without fouling, take care of the basketball, share the basketball, move it, and continue to trust it is what's going to be the keys for that game against OKC."

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