Willie Green recaps loss vs. Portland | Pelicans-Trail Blazers Postgame 11/12/2025

Willie Green recaps loss vs. Portland | Pelicans-Trail Blazers Postgame 11/12/2025

Just going back to the third quarter that started, what was was kind of the difference there? Yeah, we talked about it at halftime. Um coming out being the aggressors in the third quarter, we knew that they were going to make some adjustments and um you know, we just didn’t do enough in that quarter to to make sure that we weathered the storm with that that first, you know, quick run that they had. So, I had to take a timeout and get going from there. But it’s, you know, three quarters of really good basketball. Um, just got to correct the third quarters and DQ 38 minutes uh kind of stepping in especially I mean Eve losing Eve at at one point so kind of shortens that rotation just a little bit but what you think the good job DQ did? He did a really good job. Um and he’s he’s been doing a really good job. He’s impressive. Um he touches the floor and the the game changes immediately. He’ll make some mistakes but he’s aggressive. Uh he’s a good passer. Um he’s normally in the right spots defensively. Uh so he he’s given us a lot. And with the third quarter has been kind of a constant thing though. What’s is there anything you can put your finger on on why it keeps happening over? Um not yet. You know that I think that’s what we’re we’re continuously looking at is how can we get off to a better start in the third quarter uh when teams make an adjustment. And uh how tough is it just you know year after year your calling card has always been one to really you know solidify the defense and emphasize that and just the struggles that you guys have had on the defensive end this year. How tough has that been? Yeah, it’s it’s extremely tough. Um but that’s a part of it. You know, we we have to continue to work to figure it out starting with me um and continue to challenge this group uh to to to get better and better defensively. I thought we did some good things, but you know, they’re a tough team and um you got to play really well to beat them. And you know, when you’re playing young guys, you know, as many minutes as you got to go through those ups and downs, like just what are you kind of saying to them during those moments when the the offense really stagnates or they’re having some bad turnovers trying to just get them, you know, over the hump? Uh it’s a part of their the maturation process for young players. um in order for them to continue to grow and get better and learn, they have to go through these experience these experiences. Unfortunately, um there’s games where it, you know, it doesn’t always go their way. Um but it works out for them in the long run big picture wise. Um but I thought, you know, look, we played three rookies tonight and those guys, um they’re aggressive. uh they can handle the pressure, they get on the floor, they play well, and we just continue to play through some of those mistakes. But at least I I like that they’re being aggressive. It was a big night from Sydney tonight. Just what has he brought uh to this team this season? Uh he he brings a steady um poise to our group night in and night out. You can depend that he is at some point he’s he’s going to come up big for you. Um, even tonight, uh, a tough loss, but he he was solid for us. Hit big shots, he gets to the basket, gets to the free throw line, and he makes simple plays over and over. You said a full season of not playing basketball to come back into this environment. Just how tough is it to sometimes like find your rhythm position that he’s in coming out the ACL? I think he’s it’s impressive what he’s doing this far. Um, but he has a mindset that he’s a hard worker. Um, you know, he wants to be wants to get better and better and we trust putting him on the floor because he he gets a lot done out there out there with his group. So, I’m impressed by Sadique um what he’s gone through and how he’s a been able to bounce back. It’s a credit to the work that he’s put in. Portland shot 58% from the field tonight. Do you think that was, you know, just good shotmaking on their end or do you think it was kind of a defensive struggles by by your team? I think it’s both. You know, they’re a good team. They’re solid. Uh they get they have guys that can make shots and we have to continue to challenge ourselves defensively to to improve. And so, yes, they made shots and some of it is us. um you know stick hand contest, you know, containing drives, finishing possessions, just the the simple concepts that we go over and over again in practice. There’s some progress. Um and as much as I wanted to happen right away, it’s just taking time to get there. Last question on on Sadique. Um just you guys have put him in actions where you put him in the post against the smalls and stuff. Just what what about those actions do you like and what kind of looks are you getting off? I we like it because it’s it’s a settler. Um sometimes he’s got a mismatch and it’s a way to get him going. You know, throw the ball in the post. We got action above the free throw line with shooters coming off. So, it’s occupying the defense and it allows him um to either score or get to the free throw line. Just a quick question, uh Jav going back to Washington. I mean, obviously he’s always been a nice player, but he’s taken a massive leap early this season. I mean, just the growth you’ve seen from the few times you’ve played quarterback to DC until tonight. I mean, he he’s taken a huge step. Um, and sometimes that’s what some of these players, you know, they just need a change of scenery. He he he’s done that and uh he’s he’s playing playing really really well for Portland right now. He’s so give him credit, man. He he’s a heck of a player. as a head coach, you know, what kind of comes with, you know, when your team’s losing and and and you know, the fans are kind of upset and all that kind of stuff and the noise that comes along with that. I guess how are you kind of processing that when obviously you’re just trying to do your job every day, but when there’s all that extra noise around you and what’s going on team and the future and all of that, I guess, how are you processing all of that? You know, the main thing for me is, you know, control what I can control. Continue to put the focus on pouring into our players, pouring into our staff. Um, I I I totally understand the frustration. Um, we’re frustrated as well. We want to go out, we want to step on the floor, we want to compete every night and have chances to win games, win more games. I totally get it. But it comes with this this position. With this position, um, there’s triumph. There’s also trials that you have to go through. And as we continue to go through it, my my response is to stay steady. uh keep pouring into our group. Well, yeah, there been conversations with Gail or Joe Land just about where the team is right now. Uh Joe and I, we we continue to discuss the team, how we can continue to uh get better. Um and we’ll continue to have those talks. Brutal uh stretch obviously coming up with these next four games, three of those four against, you know, top Western Conference teams. Bill, based on, you know, how how the season’s kind of started, what makes you confident that your team’s not only just going to be able to turn things around, but to do so against this gauntlet coming up? Yeah, I mean, I’m I’m definitely confident in our group. I believe in what we we’re capable of doing. Um, it’s just us going out there and doing it. Um, no matter who we play, you know, we want to step on the floor and give ourselves an opportunity to win those games. Uh, and that’s the focus. We’ll regroup. We’ll come in tomorrow. We’ll continue to get after it in practice and go from there.

New Orleans Pelicans head coach Willie Green’s postgame interview after the Pelicans’ loss against the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday, November 12 during the 2025-26 NBA Season.
#pelicans #nba #neworleanspelicans
Latest NBA News & Pelicans News @ https://www.pelicans.com

Subscribe to the New Orleans Pelicans YT Channel: https://bit.ly/PelicansSubscribe
Add the Pelicans Schedule to your Calendar: https://calendar.pelicans.com/
Latest Pelicans News and Updates: https://www.nba.com/pelicans
Latest NBA News and Updates: https://www.nba.com/
Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PelicansNBA/
Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/PelicansNBA
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pelicansnba/
Find us on Snapchat: https://www.snapchat.com/add/pelicansnba
Get the App: http://apps.yinzcam.com/nba/nop