NEW YORK – The Miami Heat’s LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers’ Kobe Bryant today were named Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week, respectively, for games played Tuesday, Feb. 19 through Sunday, Feb. 24.

 James led the Heat to a 4-0 week, which included road wins over the Atlanta Hawks, Chicago Bulls and Philadelphia 76ers. He averaged 23.5 points (fifth in the conference), 9.3 assists (second in the conference), 2.25 steals (third in the conference) and 7.8 rebounds. James posted two double-doubles and a 16-point, 11-assist, 10-rebound triple-double on Feb. 23 at Philadelphia as the Heat became the first club in the East to reach 40 wins. At 40-14 (.741), Miami owns a six-game advantage over the next closest Eastern Conference team, the Indiana Pacers (35-21, .625).

Bryant led the Lakers to a 3-0 week, which included wins over the Boston Celtics and Portland Trail Blazers. He finished second in the conference in scoring at 31.3 ppg, and added 7.7 rebounds and 6.0 assists. Bryant closed the week with a 38-point, 12-rebound, seven-assist performance in Dallas, a 103-99 Lakers’ win. At 28-29 (.491), the Lakers are 2.5 games behind the Houston Rockets (31-27, .534) for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

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

LeBron James, Miami Heat

Feb. 21 @ Chicago: Scored 26 points on 11-of-15 shooting, and added 12 rebounds and seven assists in an 86-67 win over the Bulls.

Feb. 23 @ Philadelphia: Collected a triple-double with 16 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds during a 114-90 win over the 76ers.

Feb. 24 vs. Cleveland: Scored 28 points and added eight assists in a 109-105 win over the Cavaliers.

Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers  

Feb. 20 vs. Boston: Posted 16 points, seven assists and four rebounds during a 113-99 win over the Celtics.

Feb. 22 vs. Portland: Tallied 40 points on 15-of-23 shooting, and added seven rebounds and four assists in a 111-107 win over the Trail Blazers.

Feb. 24 @ Dallas: Collected 38 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists in a 103-99 win over the Mavericks.

Other nominees for the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week were Atlanta’s Al Horford, Boston’s Jeff Green, Charlotte’s Kemba Walker, Golden State’s Jarrett Jack, Houston’s James Harden, Indiana’s Paul George, Memphis’ Zach Randolph, Miami’s Dwyane Wade, Oklahoma City’s Russell Westbrook, Phoenix’s Goran Dragic and Toronto’s Rudy Gay.