Cain details his tenacious plays and the satisfaction of breaking a losing streak, crediting hard work and family for his drive.
On how satisfying it was to get a win after a series of close losses:
"Super satisfying. Knowing the struggles we just went through in these past games, in the NBA it's hard to win. So man, any way we can get a win, we need it. We want it. And it just feels good, man, to come out with a victory."
On what he sees from Paolo Banchero's play lately (30+ points in the third straight game):
"One of the best players I haven't played with so far in the league, man. Just the attention he brings to free up other guys and put us in the right positions to be successful. He's just a great player, man. It's a testament to just who he is."
On the hustle plays he made (breakaway dunk, loose ball recoveries, catch-and-shoot threes, baseline cut) and whether they come instinctively:
"Growing up I was never like one of the guys that just had the ball in their hands. I was always playing off other guys. And I just credit myself with just how hard I play. Like I don't care if I have the ball or not. I'm going to just try and make the extra effort plays to help the team be successful. But yeah, that's always been me, man. Just always had a knack for the ball."
On how comfortable he feels being dropped into the middle of an intense playoff race:
"I'm comfortable for sure. Like I said, all the work that I put in prepared me for this moment. But I would say this is the hardest part for me—speaking right now. I just want to hoop. That's it."
On how important the win was for the group and how they can get back to the seven-game winning streak form:
"Just keep doing what we doing, man. I feel like our mind, our hearts are in the right place. Last couple games the ball haven't bounced our way. We've been in tight games with good teams, but if we stay consistent with our effort, where our heart is at, where our mind is at, it'll eventually flip."
On the pride he takes in being a hustle player and energy guy for the team, especially coming off the losing streak:
"A lot, man. Like I was an underdog. I didn't get drafted. I had to work my way up into this league, man. And so every day I feel like I'm proving myself. So if that's diving on the floor, if that's—if I'm tired as hell, sorry—but I still need to crash, you know what I mean? I still have to do my job to make sure the team win games."
On the feedback from teammates about his hustle:
"Keep going. Just keep bringing them extra effort plays. That's it. Just keep going."
On what keeps him grounded and motivated outside of basketball:
"Just my family knowing they've been in this process with me—with being undrafted and having to work—and just seeing how much they believe in me and how much they care has definitely kept me grounded and motivated. And also got two dogs, man. I got to take care of them dogs."
On whether he saw Paolo's no-look baseline pass coming and what it says about their trust:
"Yeah. I don't know if y'all remember—it was a play in training camp that he threw that same exact pass to me. It was literally the same exact play. So I knew eventually he was going to find me."
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