NBA 2018-19: 3 talking points from San Antonio Spurs' win over Phoenix Suns

#3 TJ Warren takes the initiative in Devin Booker's absence

TJ has been averaging 17.4 ppg this season.

Devin Booker missed his fifth straight game due to a strained left hamstring. Another leading scorer in Jamal Crawford couldn't see the floor in Tuesday's loss due to knee soreness.

The stage was set for TJ Warren to take charge, and he did not disappoint. TJ dropped a team-high 23 points, committing just one turnover in the process. He was one of the only three players from the Suns' roster to score in double-digits, the others being Ayton (12) and Melton (17).

Warren shot 9 of 16 from the floor, remaining scot-free (4-4) from the FT line, but could net just one three-pointer out of the five shots he attempted. Despite an off night from long-range, he is shooting a career-high 43% from deep this season.

Warren and Booker were considered one of the most underrated back-courts in the league, and many thought the integration of No. 1 draft pick DeAndre Ayton would do wonders for the team as a whole. But unfortunately for them, the fairytale hasn't unfolded the way many thought it would.