Tyronn Lue praised the Los Angeles Clippers’ effort and highlighted several encouraging performances after their 104-101 preseason victory over the Golden State Warriors in Honolulu on Sunday.
Lue was particularly pleased with Keaton Wagler’s ability to remain aggressive despite struggling from the field. Wagler scored 15 points, including the go-ahead 19-foot step-back jumper with 14 seconds remaining after going 3-of-15 from the field and 1-of-11 from three-point range.
“His confidence doesn’t waver, like same facial expressions, play us through the game,” Lue said. “And like I said, down the stretch, made a big shot to put us up.”
Lue emphasized that Wagler continued to take the shots the Clippers want him taking despite the difficult shooting night.
“He took some great shots, you know, shots that we want him taking, being aggressive,” Lue said. “And so, yeah, we’re very confident he can make those shots.”
Rui Hachimura was another major positive for the Clippers, finishing with a team-high 21 points on 8-of-11 shooting, including 4-of-5 from three-point range.
Lue said the Clippers can use Hachimura in different ways offensively and will need that production from him.
“You can do some different things with him. So, I’m excited about that,” Lue said. “We’re going to need to score, you know, and so what he showed us today was very important.”
Hachimura also grabbed five rebounds and recorded a block, something Lue believes will be important throughout the season.
“We’re going to need him to rebound. We’re going to need him to score. We’re going to need him to block. We’re going to need everything,” Lue said. “That’s what we’re going to need from him every night.”
Lue also singled out Baba Miller and Blake Wesley for their performances. Miller had nine points and six rebounds, while Wesley provided defensive pressure and finished with eight points.
“I thought Baba was really good,” Lue said. “I thought Blake Wesley was really good as far as his defensive pressure, picking up full court, his pace and speed, ability to get into the paint.”
Despite the victory, Lue acknowledged the Clippers still have plenty to improve. Golden State’s pressure disrupted the offense, while the Warriors’ run-and-jump defense forced Los Angeles away from some of the sets it had been working on.
“We didn’t do the things we worked on,” Lue said. “That pressure kind of sped us up and took us out of the offense that we wanted to run.”
With several weeks remaining before the regular season, Lue viewed the opener as a useful first step.
“Today was a step in the right direction, but we got to get a lot better,” he said.
Lue also praised the atmosphere in Honolulu, thanking Golden State for participating in the preseason matchup.
“Fans have been great,” Lue said. “It’s always a great experience. Like I said, the fans are great. The people in the community is great, you know. So, I love being here.”
