Rookie John Poulakidas described his performance in the Dallas Mavericks’ 130-120 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers as “a dream come true” after scoring 10 points in his second NBA game. “Worked very hard for it…glad I could capitalize on my opportunity today and that we got the win,” he said.
Poulakidas emphasized his shooting as a key factor in spacing the floor. “My ability to knock down shots is something that can open the floor for everybody else…seeing that first three go down felt great,” he explained, adding that confidence was crucial after missing his first two attempts.
Reflecting on the third-quarter surge, he said, “For me, it’s just continuing to stay confident and shoot the next one…make myself available to guys so that I can put us in a position to be successful on the offensive end.” He added that each moment on the court helped him feel more comfortable. “There was definitely a big sigh of relief after that first bucket…I feel myself getting more comfortable with every minute.”
Poulakidas credited his preparation with the Mavericks’ affiliate team. “Coach Hooper and the Legends stressed to me just to be myself…getting those reps was big for me the last few days,” he said, highlighting how it translated to confidence in NBA action.
He also noted the team’s collective effort. “The biggest thing was really just taking pride on the defensive end…moving the ball and sharing the ball…our offense trickled into our defense and we were getting the stops when we needed to,” Poulakidas said. The Mavericks totaled 35 assists in the game, showcasing team cohesion.
On his relationship with Cooper Flagg, Poulakidas said, “He just congratulated me and basically told me that the floodgates were open now…playing with Coop is great because he can get me a lot of shots, and I hope I can do the same thing for him.” He also discussed training with Max Christie in previous summers, calling it “a very surreal moment” to play alongside him at the NBA level.
Poulakidas described receiving the game ball as a special experience. “Just special…just a dream come true…living my dream right now, and I’m trying to stay in this league for as long as I can,” he said, emphasizing gratitude and focus on making the most of each opportunity.
The Mavericks overcame a 33-point loss from two days prior, with Cooper Flagg scoring 27 points, Naji Marshall adding 25, and P.J. Washington contributing 20 points and 11 rebounds. Dallas faces New Orleans on Monday, while Cleveland travels to Milwaukee on Tuesday.
