TJ Warren lived up to his word of proving his real worth in the NBA after being traded in the offseason as he notched a career-high 53 points for the Indiana Pacers in a 127-121 win over the Philadelphia 76ers.

Getting traded in the NBA is a part of business, but Warren carried a chip on his shoulders especially since he was shipped by the Phoenix Suns to the Pacers for cash considerations.

Although he averaged 14.4 points and 4.1 rebounds in 5 seasons with the Suns, Warren found himself on the trading block as his former team needed to clear cap space for future moves.

“I am worth more than cash considerations,” Warren told The Athletic in October. “[T]he Suns messed up.”

Against the 76ers, Warren showed the Suns what they missed out on.

Warren could not have been more efficient as he sank 20 of his 29 field goals for a staggering 69% clip, highlighted with a 9-of-12 shooting from beyond the arc.

He now ranks No. 3 in Pacers history for most points scored in a single game next to Reggie Miller (57) and Jermaine O’Neal (55).

The 6-foot-8 forward also added 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 blocks against only 1 turnover in 40 minutes of play.

His career performance put to waste a monster outing from Joel Embiid, who had 41 points, 21 rebounds, and 3 blocks for the 76ers.

After the game, Pacers big man Myles Turner took a dig at the Suns for letting Warren – now the record holder for most points scored in a single game in the bubble – go.

“I wonder how cash considerations feels about this performance,” Turner posted on Twitter.

As it turned out, the trade wound up to be a blessing in disguise for Warren as he is set to make the playoffs for the first time in his career, with the Pacers sitting at the No. 5 spot in the Eastern Conference.

The Suns, meanwhile, have to fight for their playoff lives at the No. 13 spot in the Western Conference.

– Rappler.com