Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo, Thunder’s Russell Westbrook named NBA Players of the Week
NEW YORK – The Milwaukee Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Russell Westbrook today were named NBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week, respectively, for games played Monday, Feb. 2, through Sunday, Feb. 8.
Antetokounmpo shot 63.3 percent from the field (fifth in the East) and set single-game career highs in points and rebounds during Milwaukee’s 3-1 week. The second-year forward from Greece ranked among the East’s top 11 in scoring (19.5 ppg), rebounding (11.0) and blocks (1.75 bpg) for the week. In a 113-105 overtime victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Feb. 4, Antetokounmpo recorded 25 points, six rebounds and two blocks. Antetokounmpo, 20, posted personal bests of 27 points and 15 rebounds to go with four assists in a 117-111 loss to the Houston Rockets on Feb. 6, becoming the second-youngest player in the last 30 seasons (behind LeBron James) to put up those numbers.
Westbrook averaged 34.3 points (second in the NBA), 9.3 rebounds, 9.0 assists (sixth in the NBA) and 2.5 steals (tied for fifth in the NBA) as he helped the Thunder to a 3-1 record. The 26-year-old guard began the week with a triple-double of 25 points, 14 assists and 11 rebounds in a 104-97 victory over the Orlando Magic on Feb. 2. The 2015 NBA All-Star then had a 45-point, six-rebound, six-assist performance in a 102-91 win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Feb. 4, followed by a career-high 48-point, 11-assist, nine-rebound effort in a 116-113 loss to the Pelicans on Feb. 6. Westbrook joined Kobe Bryant, Wilt Chamberlain and Elgin Baylor as the only players in NBA history to finish with at least 45 points, five rebounds and five assists in back-to-back games.
Here is a recap of the week for Antetokounmpo and Westbrook:
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
Feb. 2 @ Toronto: Recorded 12 points, 12 rebounds, three assists and two blocks during an 82-75 victory over the Raptors.
Feb. 4 vs. L.A. Lakers: Tallied 25 points, six rebounds and two blocks in a 113-105 win over the Lakers.
Feb. 6 @ Houston: Produced career highs of 27 points and 15 rebounds to go with four assists in a 117-111 loss to the Rockets.
Feb. 7 vs. Boston: Posted 14 points, 11 rebounds and five assists during a 96-93 victory over the Celtics.
Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder
Feb. 2 vs. Orlando: Posted a triple-double of 25 points, 14 assists and 11 rebounds in a 104-97 victory over the Magic.
Feb. 4 @ New Orleans: Finished with 45 points, six rebounds and six assists in a 102-91 win over the Pelicans.
Feb. 6 vs. New Orleans: Scored a career-high 48 points and added 11 assists, nine rebounds and four steals in a 116-113 loss to the Pelicans.
Feb. 8 vs. L.A. Clippers: Contributed 19 points, 11 rebounds and five assists in a 131-108 victory over the Clippers.
Other nominees for the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week were Cleveland’s Kyrie Irving and LeBron James, Golden State’s Stephen Curry, Houston’s James Harden, Indiana’s George Hill, the Los Angeles Clippers’ Chris Paul and Utah’s Gordon Hayward.