Knicks’ Carmelo Anthony, Thunder’s Kevin Durant named NBA Players of the Week

NEW YORK – The New York Knicks’ Carmelo Anthony and Oklahoma City Thunder’s Kevin Durant today were named the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week, respectively, for games played Monday, April 4, through Sunday, April 10.

Anthony led the Knicks to a 4-0 week, which included a 110-109 victory over Indiana on April 10 in which Anthony hit the game-winning shot and blocked Danny Granger’s potential game-winning shot on consecutive possessions. Anthony averaged 28.3 points and 9.5 rebounds to go along with 1.5 blocks and 1.0 steals. Anthony shot .529 (18-of-34) from three-point range, and recorded two point-rebound double-doubles.

Durant helped the Thunder to a 4-0 week, which included wins over the Lakers in Los Angeles (first time since March 12, 2006) and the Nuggets in Denver (first time since March 28, 2007). Durant, the league’s leading scoring at 27.8 ppg, averaged 30.0 points and 6.8 rebounds on the week. At 54-26, the Thunder sits in fourth place in the Western Conference with two games to play, one game back of the Lakers and Dallas Mavericks.

Here is a recap of the week for Anthony and Durant:

Carmelo Anthony, New York Knicks

April 5 vs. Toronto: Tallied 23 points and nine rebounds in a 131-118 win over the Raptors

April 6 @ Philadelphia: Posted 31 points, 11 rebounds and two blocks in a 97-92 win over the 76ers.

April 8 @ New Jersey: Collected 25 points and 14 rebounds in a 116-93 win over the Nets.

April 10 @ Indiana: Totaled 34 points, four rebounds, five assists, three blocks and two steals in a 110-109 victory over the Pacers.

Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder

April 5 @ Denver: Recorded 32 points and nine rebounds during a 101-94 win over the Nuggets.

April 6 vs. L.A. Clippers: Tallied 29 points, seven rebounds and three assists in a 112-108 win over the Clippers.

April 8 vs. Denver: Posted 28 points and seven rebounds in a 104-89 win over the Nuggets.

April 10 @ L.A. Lakers:  Totaled 31 points, four rebounds and two assists as the Thunder upended the Lakers 120-106 at Staples Center.

 

Other nominees for the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week were Denver’s Ty Lawson, Detroit’s Rodney Stuckey, Golden State’s David Lee, Memphis’ Zach Randolph, Miami’s LeBron James and San Antonio’s Tony Parker.