NEW YORK — The Boston Celtics’ Isaiah Thomas 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, Dec. 19 through Sunday, Dec. 25.
Thomas led the Eastern Conference in scoring (33.3 ppg) and ranked sixth in assists (7.3 apg) as the Celtics went 3-1, with all three wins coming on the road. He scored a career-high 44 points, including 36 in the second half, in a 112-109 overtime win over the Memphis Grizzlies on Dec. 20. Thomas shot 48.8 percent from the field and 90.7 percent (39-for-43) from the free throw line for the week. He matched his season high with 10 assists in a 117-112 loss to the Thunder on Dec. 23.
Westbrook led the Thunder to a 3-1 week, averaging a league-high 41.0 points, 10.0 assists and 9.8 rebounds. He became only the third player in history to log three straight games with at least 40 points, 10 rebounds and five assists, joining Elgin Baylor, who did it twice, and Wilt Chamberlain. Westbrook notched his league-leading 14th triple-double of the season with 45 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists in Oklahoma City’s win over the Celtics. It was his sixth career triple-double with at least 40 points, placing him third all-time behind Oscar Robertson (22) and Chamberlain (seven).
Here is a recap of the week for Thomas and Westbrook:
Isaiah Thomas, Boston Celtics
Dec. 20 @ Memphis: Scored a career-high 44 points and added six assists in a 112-109 overtime win over the Grizzlies.
Dec. 22 @ Indiana: Finished with 28 points and nine assists in a 109-102 win over the Pacers.
Dec. 23 vs. Oklahoma City: Matched a season high with 10 assists and scored 34 points in a 117-112 loss to the Thunder.
Dec. 25 @ New York: Scored 27 points and added four assists and three rebounds in a 119-114 win over the Knicks.
Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder
Dec. 19 vs. Atlanta: Scored 46 points and added 11 rebounds and seven assists in a 110-108 loss to the Hawks.
Dec. 21 @ New Orleans: Tallied 42 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists in a 121-10 win over the Pelicans.
Dec. 23 @ Boston: Notched his 14th triple-double with 45 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists in a 117-112 win over the Celtics.
Dec. 25 vs. Minnesota: Finished with 31 points, 15 assists and seven rebounds in a 112-100 win over the Timberwolves.
Other nominees for the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week include Charlotte’s Nicolas Batum, Cleveland’s Kyrie Irving and LeBron James, Golden State’s Kevin Durant, Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo, New Orleans’ Anthony Davis, Sacramento’s DeMarcus Cousins and Toronto’s Kyle Lowry.
