By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
John Poulakidas proved that preparation meets opportunity on Thursday night, delivering a new personal-best in the NBA with 23 points for the Dallas Mavericks against the Phoenix Suns. Fueled by a rigorous pregame routine, the rookie guard capitalized on a night where injuries to teammates opened the door for him to showcase the shooting prowess that first made him a standout at Yale.
“I’m just happy I could capitalize on the opportunity,” the 23-year-old Greek-American guard mentioned in a postgame press conference. He credited his success to a disciplined approach, arriving at the arena hours early to lock in his shooting form. “Tonight, when I was going through my pregame routines, I was feeling a little bit extra juice. I knew I was going to get the opportunity tonight, and I just wanted to be ready.”
The work paid off at the Mortgage Matchup Center, where Poulakidas shot an efficient 8-of-12 from the field, including five three-pointers. Beyond the scoring, his 29 minutes of action featured a level of poise that caught the attention of head coach Jason Kidd. “John was good. John competed on both ends, offensively and defensively,” noted the 53-year-old play-caller. “I thought the group was trying to find him, and then to have him in the game late just to see how he would handle it, he made a great force.”
For Poulakidas, the performance was a milestone in a journey that began as an undrafted free agent in the G League. While his jump shot earned him a two-way contract in March, he remains focused on the defensive end to solidify his place in the league. “My shooting has got me here. My defense is going to keep me here,” he stated.
Closing the 2025-26 Regular Season, the Mavs take on the San Antonio Spurs in Frost Bank Center on Friday and host the Chicago Bulls in American Airlines Center on Sunday.