Team of the week
The Western Conference is a jungle from which it is always difficult to escape. Yet that's just what the Memphis Grizzlies are about to do.
After two seasons in which they finished second in the conference, albeit with two disastrous playoff eliminations, the last season was sacrificed by injuries, particularly to Ja Morant.
This is still the case with the All-Star point guard playing in just 27 of the 46 games. But the team is back to being a team, not four players watching their franchise star play.
With Jaren Jackson Jr, officially an NBA blue chip, and Desmond Bane, we can't yet talk about a 'Big Three', but about leaders, and that's what a team needs.
The result is that Memphis are on a six-game winning streak, third in the West, and things are about to get serious. With the Knicks, Rockets and Bucks all coming up this week, there's plenty to look forward to from what is quite simply the best attack in the league.
Nevertheless, this team will be eagerly awaited in the postseason, having only made it through one round of the playoffs in the last nine seasons. But the stiffer the competition, the better the show in Tennessee.
Underperformers of the week
The Atlanta Hawks are having a tough time. Although they have a great chance of reaching the top six and qualifying directly for the playoffs, with just two wins to their name, they racked up four straight defeats last week.
Their last two, against the Toronto Raptors, were a real embarrassment, especially as they were at home. After losing by 23 points in the last one, with some appalling percentages, they're on a slippery slope.
And injuries have hit the Georgia franchise even harder, with Zaccharie Risacher, De'Andre Hunter and Jalen Johnson sidelined. Trae Young is the best passer in the league, and Dyson Daniels the best interceptor, but these glorious stats have no influence on their results.
For the fourth year in a row, they could make the play-in field but suffer an early end to the season. After the 2021 conference final, this team looked destined to play a leading role...
Player of the week
Who else but Nikola Jokic? This week, the Serbian pivot once again made history. Against the Kings, he notched 35 points, 22 rebounds, 17 assists, a 30-20-15 stat line only achieved in history by... Wilt Chamberlain.
It was the fifth triple-double in a row for the man who is now the NBA's third-leading scorer, second-leading passer, third-leading rebounder and fourth-leading stealer.
These are staggering figures, and they've totally reignited the MVP race. Since the start of the season, the award has seemed destined for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the top scorer and best player in the best team in the West. But while he may not have the collective record in his favour, Jokic is unquestionably the best player in the world.
That's not always enough for the MVP gong though but it's going to be a close fight all the way.
Play of the week
What's more, Jokic is having a ball. During his historic triple-double, the 'Joker' also gave the crowd an incredible highlight, scoring a basket from his own half as a buzzer-beater in the third quarter. Talent and success, the perfect combination!
Story of the week
The NBA was in France, and the writer of this article was at the party! The two games at Bercy's Accor Arena were a chance to check out the madness surrounding Victor Wembanyama. The French phenomenon was the media attraction, with court openings, TV news appearances, press conferences, interviews and, above all, the matches.
The first was of a very high standard, but the second was less successful, as 'Wemby' seemed to have grown tired of the hustle and bustle. However, it was a great celebration before the NBA moves to another venue for the next Global Games. And, as a bonus, we got an interview with French NBA legend Tony Parker!