Michael Malone Im not one to make excuses The better team won Not taking anything from Minnesota We played until June last year We had to play main guys through Game 82 to secure the number 2 seed unlike last yearI think emotionally and physically guys are gassed

Mitch Johnson We werent ready to win an NBA championship The better team won We did a lot of good things and we didnt finish the job That's what it is

Mitch Johnson We needed to continue to play the brand of basketball regardless of the outcome or the score

Stein Based on where we are as of 1208 Eastern on Monday the Sixers the Timberwolves the Heat your Nuggets based on everything I've been told all weekend they all still believe they're in with a chance for LeBron

Buha I spoke with several Lakers people there was an acknowledgement we might have taken a step back If you're myopic need to win a Championship this season that's obviously not the case But we can win 50 next Summer see what trades we need to make Then in 2028 can be a true contender

Victor Wembanyama was asked how much of a factor fatigue was for him down the stretch of Game 4 Definitely a factor but it's the playoffs Everybody's just as tired It shouldn't even be a factor in the game Now we've got two days between games It's not gonna be a factor

Trae Young says he regrets not playing through injury in the 2021 ECF If what I know now I would have played through my sprained ankle My agents were telling me not to We were 2 games from the finals we had beaten the Suns twice that year You never know when that opportunity will come again