Back in 2021, the Phoenix Suns came within two wins of an NBA title, falling to the Milwaukee Bucks in the Finals after a remarkable season. At the time, the franchise looked poised for sustained success. Instead, everything began to unravel a year later when the Dallas Mavericks inflicted a historic Game 7 humiliation in the Western Conference semi-finals.

What followed was bold, aggressive decision-making from owner Matt Ishbia. Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal were brought in at the cost of enormous draft capital, signalling an all-in approach. Yet within two seasons, the experiment collapsed spectacularly. Both stars have since moved on, leaving Phoenix to reset once again.

Now, the Suns are rediscovering their identity — and Devin Booker is firmly back at the centre of it. The All-Star guard has reasserted himself as the team’s leader, most notably with his clutch performance against Oklahoma City, and he is thriving in a role that once again feels fully his own.

Importantly, Booker isn’t carrying the load alone. While the roster may not jump off the page, it is balanced and functional. Dillon Brooks continues to draw praise for his two-way impact, Grayson Allen has become a vital contributor, and the supporting cast — Mark Williams, Ryan Dunn and Collin Gillespie — is steadily elevating its level. All of that is happening without Jalen Green in the lineup.

The payoff has been immediate: three straight wins, sixth place in the Western Conference, and growing momentum. Quietly, the Suns are shaping up as a genuine dark horse for the remainder of the season.

Underperformers of the Week: Houston Rockets

This should have been a celebratory week in Houston. Kevin Durant moved past Wilt Chamberlain to become the seventh-highest scorer in NBA history — a milestone worthy of spotlight and momentum.

Instead, the Rockets endured a miserable run of results, losing twice to the Portland Trail Blazers and once to the Sacramento Kings. Those defeats have proved costly, pushing Houston out of the Western Conference top six for the first time this season.

Injuries, particularly the absence of Alperen Şengün, offer some mitigation. Still, the broader concern is how reliant the Rockets have become on individual brilliance just to remain competitive. In a Western Conference where margins are razor-thin, that approach is rarely sustainable.

Whether this slump is simply a rough patch or a warning sign of deeper structural issues remains to be seen.

Player of the Week: Trey Murphy III

The New Orleans Pelicans appear to have accepted that this season is about positioning for the future rather than chasing immediate success. Even so, they have already drawn firm lines around which players they see as foundational pieces — and Trey Murphy III is unquestionably one of them.

Murphy underlined his value in spectacular fashion this week, pouring in a career-high 42 points against the Lakers before backing it up with 35 more versus the Wizards to help end New Orleans’ nine-game losing streak.

His talent has been evident for some time, which is why he attracted serious interest ahead of the trade deadline. While Zion Williamson remains the theoretical cornerstone of the franchise, Murphy’s performances raise an intriguing question: what could this team look like if fully healthy, with Murphy not just as a supporting act, but perhaps as a true co-leader — or even more?

Play of the Week: Two buzzer-beaters in minutes

Wednesday night delivered a feast for highlight reels, with two game-winning buzzer-beaters arriving within minutes of each other.

First, Immanuel Quickley showcased lightning-fast execution, drilling a catch-and-shoot three at the horn to sink the Charlotte Hornets. Moments later, Paolo Banchero followed suit, burying a clutch three of his own to break Brooklyn hearts. Initially questioned, the shot stood — no foot on the line — and the Magic star made sure the Nets paid the price.

Story of the Week: Farewell, Trae Young

The whispers had grown steadily louder, and this week they became reality: Trae Young’s time in Atlanta is over. With the Hawks showing signs of stability without him, the All-Star guard made his intentions clear — and the Washington Wizards emerged as his chosen destination.

Considering modern NBA breakups, this one ended relatively peacefully. Drafted in 2018, Young became the face of the Hawks, highlighted by a thrilling playoff run in 2021 that carried Atlanta to the Eastern Conference finals.

Yet his tenure was not without controversy. Young developed a reputation as a “coach killer,” with Lloyd Pierce and later Nate McMillan both losing their jobs during his era. His defensive shortcomings were also a constant point of criticism — often justified.

Despite averaging around 25 points and 10 assists per game, Young’s league-wide value had quietly dipped, reflected in a trade return that fell short of blockbuster expectations.

In the end, though, both sides got what they wanted: Atlanta moves on, and Young gets a fresh start. Compared to some recent superstar trades — Luka Dončić foremost among them — the true cost of this deal may take years to fully measure.