Cavaliers’ Kyrie Irving, Spurs’ Tony Parker named NBA Players of the Week

NEW YORK – The Cleveland Cavaliers’ Kyrie Irving and the San Antonio Spurs’ Tony Parker today were named Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week, respectively, for games played Monday, Jan. 21 through Sunday, Jan. 27.

 Irving led the league in scoring at 35.7 ppg, guiding the Cavaliers to a 3-0 week. He tallied at least 32 points in all three games, finishing the week with a .612 shooting percentage from the field (41-of-67 field goals) and a .950 shooting percentage from the foul line (19-of-20 free throws). Irving poured in 40 points on 16-of-24 shooting from the field in a 95-90 win over the Boston Celtics on Jan. 22.

Parker led the Spurs to a 4-0 week behind averages of 24.5 points (fourth in the conference) and 9.5 assists (third in the conference). He posted back-to-back point-assist double-doubles on Jan. 23 and 25, in wins over the New Orleans Hornets and Dallas Mavericks. Parker connected on 40-of-66 field goals (.606) on the week, good for eighth best in the West.

Here is a recap of the week for Irving and Parker:

Kyrie Irving, Cleveland Cavaliers

Jan. 22 vs. Boston: Tallied 40 points and added five assists, three rebounds and two steals in a 95-90 win over the Celtics.

Jan. 25 vs. Milwaukee: Posted 35 points, five rebounds, two assists and two steals during a 113-108 victory over the Bucks.

Jan. 26 @ Toronto: Totaled 32 points, five assists and four rebounds in a 99-98 win over the Raptors.

Tony Parker, San Antonio Spurs

Jan. 21 @ Philadelphia: Collected 20 points and eight assists in a 90-85 win over the 76ers.

Jan. 23 vs. New Orleans: Posted 24 points, 13 assists and four boards in a 106-102 win over the Hornets.

Jan. 25 @ Dallas: Tallied 23 points, 10 assists and four rebounds during a 113-107 victory over the Mavericks.

Jan. 26 vs. Phoenix: Scored 31 points and added seven assists, four rebounds and two steals in a 108-99 win over the Suns.

Other nominees for the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week were Atlanta’s Kyle Korver and Josh Smith, Denver’s Ty Lawson, the Los Angeles Clippers’ Blake Griffin, Miami’s LeBron James, Milwaukee’s Ersan Ilyasova, New Orleans’ Ryan Anderson, Oklahoma City’s Kevin Durant and Portland’s Nicolas Batum.