MarShon Brooks has said that Los Angeles Lakers coach Mike D'Antoni gave him "confidence" ahead of his debut for the team.
The shooting guard joined the team as part of a trade earlier this week and featured in last night's 101-92 victory over the Boston Celtics.
The 25-year-old told reporters: "Me and Kent [Bazemore] just wanted to come out here and play with some energy.
"I was tired, real tired. But D'Antoni gives you that confidence and he lets you go out there and play your game. So I felt free doing that.
"The difference in the game was on the other side of the ball. We played real good defense, forced some turnovers, and that really got us going in the fourth quarter."
The win was the Lakers' first at home in nine games.