Knicks’ Carmelo Anthony, Lakers’ Kobe Bryant named NBA Players of the Week

NEW YORK – The New York Knicks’ Carmelo Anthony and the Los Angeles Lakers’ Kobe Bryant today were named Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week, respectively, for games played Monday, April 8 through Sunday, April 14.

Anthony, who captures his second straight Player of the Week award, helped the Knicks to a 3-1 week. He led the Eastern Conference in scoring (32.0 ppg) and ranked seventh in rebounding (11.5 rpg). Anthony extended a streak he began last week of consecutive games with 30-plus points to seven which tied the second longest such streak in Knicks history, before having it snapped on April 14 during New York’s 90-80 victory over the Indiana Pacers. Anthony tallied 36 points and pulled down a season-high 19 rebounds during a 118-111 overtime loss to the Chicago Bulls on April 11.

The Lakers went 4-0 on the week, 3-0 in games in which Bryant appeared. Bryant led the league in scoring (37.0 ppg), ranked second in the Western Conference in steals (2.67 spg), and added 6.3 rebounds and 5.0 assists. Bryant, the NBA’s fourth all-time leading scorer (31,617 points), suffered a season-ending torn Achilles tendon at the conclusion of the Lakers’ 118-116 win over the Golden State Warriors on April 12. He finishes the 2012-13 campaign with averages of 27.3 points, a career-high-tying 6.0 assists, 5.6 rebounds and 1.4 steals.

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

Carmelo Anthony, New York Knicks

April 9 vs. Washington: Scored 36 points and added eight rebounds and six assists in a 120-99 win over the Wizards.

April 11 @ Chicago: Tallied 36 points and added a season-high 19 rebounds during a 118-111 overtime loss to the Bulls.

April 12 @ Cleveland: Posted 31 points and collected 14 rebounds during a 101-91 win over the Cavaliers.

Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers    

April 9 @ New Orleans: Tallied 30 points, six rebounds, six assists and five steals during a 104-96 win over the Hornets.

April 10 @ Portland: Scored 47 points and added eight rebounds, five assists, four blocks and three steals in a 113-106 win over the Trail Blazers.

April 12 vs. Golden State: Collected 34 points, five rebounds and four assists in a 118-116 win over the Warriors.

Other nominees for the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week were Atlanta’s Josh Smith, Brooklyn’s Deron Williams, Dallas’ Dirk Nowitzki, Detroit’s Andre Drummond, Houston’s James Harden, Oklahoma City’s Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, Toronto’s DeMar DeRozan and Rudy Gay, and Utah’s Al Jefferson.