Nets’ Joe Johnson, Thunder’s Kevin Durant named NBA Players of the Week
NEW YORK – The Brooklyn Nets’ Joe Johnson and the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Kevin Durant today were named NBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week, respectively, for games played Monday, March 17, through Sunday, March 23.
Johnson led the Nets to a 4-0 week, which included wins over the Phoenix Suns and Dallas Mavericks. He averaged 22.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.5 assists. Johnson connected on 14-of-24 (.583) three-point field goals on the week, including a 6-of-8 performance from distance en route to 27 points on March 21, during a 114-98 win over the Boston Celtics.
Durant led the Thunder to a 3-0 week, tallying 35 points or more in all three contests. He averaged a league-best 40.3 ppg and added 11.7 rebounds (fourth in the conference) and 6.0 assists (tied-10th in the conference). Durant closed the week with a 51-point, 12-rebound, seven-assist effort on March 21, as the Thunder topped the Toronto Raptors 119-118 in double overtime.
Here is a recap of the week for Johnson and Durant:
Joe Johnson, Brooklyn Nets
March 17 vs. Phoenix: Tallied 19 points, five rebounds, five assists and two steals in a 108-95 win over the Suns.
March 21 vs. Boston: Scored 27 points on 10-of-16 shooting, and added four assists in a 114-98 win over the Celtics.
March 23 @ Dallas: Collected 22 points and five rebounds during a 107-104 overtime win over the Mavericks.
Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder
March 17 @ Chicago: Scored 35 points and added 12 rebounds and five assists during a 97-85 win over the Bulls.
March 20 @ Cleveland: Tallied 35 points, 11 rebounds and six assists in a 102-95 win over the Cavaliers.
March 21 @ Toronto: Posted 51 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists during a 119-118 double overtime win over the Raptors.
Other nominees for the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week were Atlanta’s Paul Millsap, Houston’s James Harden, Memphis’ Zach Randolph, New Orleans’ Anthony Davis, New York’s Carmelo Anthony, Sacramento’s DeMarcus Cousins, San Antonio’s Tiago Splitter and Toronto’s DeMar DeRozan.