Team of the Week
At the start of the season, the Dallas Mavericks were regarded as one of the favourites to win the title after their run to the NBA Finals a few months earlier. With the acquisitions of Klay Thompson, Naji Marshall, Quentin Grimes and Spencer Dinwiddie, they looked in an even stronger place.
The Mavericks started the season slowly as players clicked into gear, but now after a fine week, they find themselves in fifth place in the West, showcasing just why so many touted them as a supreme team.
Last week, Dallas beat the Atlanta Hawks, New York Knicks and Utah Jazz all without superstar Luka Doncic, and when the Slovenian returned, they then downed the Portland Trail Blazers.
Grimes, Marshall and Dinwiddie all stepped up in Doncic's absence, and their roster is beginning to look pretty well-rounded and complete.
Underachievers of the week
The Golden State Warriors made a rapid start to the season, surprising many about just how good they were. However, they have now lost four games in a row, suggesting that they are still a flawed outfit.
Losses to the Phoenix Suns and Oklahoma City Thunder weren't disastrous, but being defeated by the Brooklyn Nets and San Antonio Spurs all in the space of a week would have been deflating.
A disappointing period for the Warriors, but it has still been a great start overall.
Player of the Week
Last season, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander finished second in the MVP race behind Nikola Jokic. And although this year he may be still lagging behind the Serbian and potentially other candidates, the Canadian is still performing at an incredibly high level for the best team in the West and is coming off the back of a fantastic week.
In his four games this week, SGA has scored 37, 35, 36 and 32 points, with the Oklahoma City Thunder taking on high-calibre teams like the Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers and the high-flying Houston Rockets. So naturally gifted and free-scoring, he is the leader of this young team who have their eyes on the NBA title. And the way he is playing, it is impossible to bet against them.
Play of the Week
The Charlotte Hornets faced the New York Knicks on Friday night, and in an incredible passage of play, Australian Josh Green got hyped after scoring four points in the final two seconds of the first half.
First, Green pulled up to sink a mid-range effort for two points. Then with 1.1 seconds left, he stole the ball from the Knicks after a sloppy pass, and quickly swivelled and drained another two points in fantastic style to put the Hornets up going into the break.
Story of the Week
Elfrid Payton hadn't played in the NBA for two years after major shooting struggles. During that period, Payton spent his time in the G-League and playing basketball in Puerto Rico. However, in November, he made his return to the league, signing for the struggling New Orleans Pelicans.
And in just his third game back, Payton recorded 14 points, 21 assists, seven rebounds and two steals in his side's 114-110 loss to the Indiana Pacers.
His 21 assists were a season-high amongst all NBA players. A remarkable return to the league for Payton.