T.J. Warren still has found memories of Phoenix that almost led down the wrong tunnel at Talking Stick Resort Arena.

“I was about to run to our locker room, the Suns’ locker room,” a smiling Warren said after Wednesday morning’s shootaround.

He remains in contact with his former Suns teammates and is happy they’re are playing well.

Guess time does end all wounds.

Warren was initially upset with how the Suns traded him and a second-round pick to the Pacers, but he’s now on a winning team, has stayed healthy all season and playing well.

“Getting traded, it’s always a tough situation, but it’s a business so you just continue to keep working and keep getting better,” said Warren, who told The Athletic last October the Suns “messed up” in talking about the trade. “Just focus on the team that you’re on and taking full advantage of the opportunity that’s given to me.”

Warren made his first return to Phoenix with his new team Wednesday night – and was looking forward to it.

“It feels good to be back, the place I started my career,” said Warren, who was taken 14th overall by the Suns in the 2014 draft. “Just looking forward to having fun and just embracing the moment and everything that comes with it.”

Warren left the desert victorious. Scoring a game-high 25 points, Warren led the Pacers to a 112-87 win over the Suns (18-26) before 14,691 fans.

“Absolutely it was different,” Warren said after the game. “Engaging with the fans a little bit, their reaction. There was a lot of emotions but as soon as the ball went into the air it was time to play basketball and that’s all I was focused on. It definitely felt good to come back to a place where I spent my first five years. Like I said before, they gave me my start, they started my career. I’m very grateful for that and it feels good to get a win.

The Pacers (29-16) have been able to remain in the playoff mix in the East despite two-time all-star guard Victor Oladipo being out all season with a ruptured quad tendon in his right knee.

Warren is a big reason for that.

The 6-8, 220-pound forward is averaging 18 points on 51.3% shooting, Warren has been a key cog for the Pacers.

“He’s been great since Day 1,” Pacers forward Domantas Sabonis said. “He came in, he bought into the system. We rely on him whenever we need a late-game bucket. Any type of situation, he’s always there. He’s ready to play and that really gives us another offensive weapon.”

Scoring has never been Warren’s problem.

He’s is a “bucket getter,” his former teammate Devin Booker always says.

“He’s been that since Day 1,” Booker said. “I knew that before I go to the NBA from his N.C. State days. I’m a fan.”

Staying healthy has been Warren biggest issue.

Warren was injury prone in Phoenix. He didn’t play in the Suns’ final 33 games of last season with what the Suns called “right ankle soreness,” but Warren said it was a bruise.

He went into the offseason determined to get in tremendous condition and play the entire 2019-20 season.

So far, so good.

“I really wanted to dedicate it to myself and really lock in and have an injury-free season,” said Warren with ice packs on both knees. “Had a goal to play all 82. So far, so good. I’m just continuing to do the things to make sure that my body is prepared to play a full season – and beyond.”

Warren also hasn’t the best defender over the course of his career, but McMillan said he’s taken greater pride of his work on that end of the floor.

“Defensively, he has made a commitment to work on the defensive end of the floor,” McMillan said. “He’s done a really good job. He’s been, I think one of our most consistent guys defending the one through four position. Just been happy with his growth and he continues to grow. Show us some things out there on the floor.”

Warren took on the challenge of guarding Booker and played a factor in one of the game’s best scorers shooting 5-of-12 from the field and finishing with just 16 points, 10 below his season average.

“He’s a great one on one defender,” Sabonis said. “He takes it personally, he believes in the system and he just wants to get better and that really helps us.”

Monty Williams admitted he hardly got to know Warren before the trade.

The Suns hired Williams in May and traded Warren on draft night in June.

“Everything happened so fast,” Williams said. “We texted a couple of times, but I know his game. He can score the ball.”

Warren probably could’ve done the same for Williams this season, but the Suns were clearing cap space and probably had one too many forwards with him.

Hindsight 20/20, the trade wasn’t surprising, especially when considering Warren’s injury history in Phoenix, but he’s embraced the change of scenery.

“A little closer to home,” Suns wing Mikal Bridges said. “Indiana is closer to Carolina than here. He’s just out there hooping and I’m happy for him.”

Booker is very happy for Warren, too.

“We developed a relationship of being some of the last guys standing,” Booker said. “When we first got here, we were kind of the final two left from my first (year in Phoenix), but I’m proud of him. A new opportunity for him and he’s killing it.”

The two spent four seasons together and have a bond.

“I know his family, I know his friends and I just want him to succeed at the highest level and he’s doing a great job of that,” Booker said.

Warren’s stoic, almost defensive demeanor on the court can give the impression he’s that way off the court and with his teammates.

The Suns saw a side of him those on the outside don’t see.

“Funny dude once you get to know him and get close to him,” Suns wing Mikal Bridges said. “He’s hilarious. Just being around him all the time, he cracks me up. He’s a really good person and a really good friend.”

Warren’s new teammates are seeing that side of him now, too.

“When he got traded, you don’t know because like many players in the league who just stay to himself,” Sabonis said. “Doesn’t let people know what’s going on, but once he’s in the locker room. He’s a great guy. Very funny and I have a great relationship with him. I always have his back and he has my back. It’s really fun to play with him.”

Have opinion about current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at [email protected] or contact him at 480-787-1240. Follow him on Twitter at @DuaneRankin.

Support local journalism. Start your online subscription.