Team of the week
After having a game postponed due to the horrific wildfires in Los Angeles, the LA Clippers returned to action on the 14th. Since then, they have won four from four, moving up to fifth in the Western Conference.
The Clippers claimed wins over the Miami Heat and the Portland Trail Blazers, as well as beating the LA Lakers in impressive fashion. They also obliterated the Brooklyn Nets 126-67, and in the process, broke the franchise record for the largest margin of victory.
Perhaps their improvement has coincided with the return of Kawhi Leonard, who made his comeback from injury at the start of the new year. With him in the team this season, the Clippers have won four out of five games, demonstrating just how important he is to their unit.
Underachievers of the week
It feels like the Philadelphia 76ers have been in this section every other week, but unfortunately, they have endured another winless period, extending their losing streak to six games.
Losses at the hands of the Thunder, Knicks, Pacers and Bucks have made it a torrid week, as they continue to sit just outside the play-in spot in the Eastern Conference.
With Joel Embiid constantly injured and Paul George also coming in and out of the team, it is no surprise that they are unable to gather any momentum.
There is just too much pressure on Tyrese Maxey to carry the load, and it is hard to see how they turn things around.
Player of the Week
It has been a very mixed season for the Phoenix Suns, but at the moment, they seem to be picking up a bit, and a lot of that has to do with Devin Booker.
Booker averaged 34.3 points last week, including a 37-point game against the Washington Wizards. He was also shooting 43.2% from behind the arc.
Bradley Beal has endured a really tough season in Phoenix, and as a result, Booker and Kevin Durant have heavily carried a Suns side that have a 21-20 record and are on the outskirts of a play-in spot.
Play of the Week
Nikola Jokic is a basketball genius. One of the best playmakers the league has ever seen, the Serb must have eyes in the back of his head. And this play against the Heat proved that.
Without even taking a look back, Jokic knew that Aaron Gordon was behind him, flicking the ball over his head for his teammate to slam home.
Story of the Week
The Wizards took on the Golden State Warriors last week, with Jordon Poole coming up against his former franchise. Poole's Wizards ended up losing, and after the game, he was asked about his ex-teammates, highlighting he likes most of them.
“I love those guys over there. I love most of those guys over there,” he said.
Warriors player Draymond Green spotted this, and replied to a tweet, saying "I really am sorry".
The tweet ended up getting 6.9 million views. But why?
Well, Draymond reportedly had a frosty relationship with Poole when they played together, and back in 2022, leaked footage came out of him punching Poole during training.
It seems Draymond regrets his actions. But regardless, it conjured up a lot of discourse on social media. Who doesn't like some drama?