NEW YORK — The Indiana Pacers’ Paul George 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, Jan. 13, through Sunday, Jan. 19.
George helped the Pacers to a 3-0 week, with all three victories coming at Bankers Life Fieldhouse, behind a conference-best 30.7 ppg.
George posted two games of 30-plus points as Indiana outscored opponents by an average of 20 ppg. He collected 36 points on 12-of-17 shooting from the field on Jan. 18, during a 106-92 win over the Los Angeles Clippers. The Pacers own the league’s best record at 32-7 (.821), and sport an NBA-best 21-1 (.955) record at home.
Durant led the Thunder to a 3-1 week, which included wins over Houston Rockets, Golden State Warriors and Sacramento Kings. He averaged a league-best 39.3 points, and added 6.5 assists and 4.8 rebounds. He tallied a career-high 54 points on 19-of-28 shooting from the field on Jan. 17, during the Thunder’s 127-121 win over the Warriors. Durant, who leads the NBA in scoring at 30.6 ppg, has tallied 30-plus points in seven consecutive contests.
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Here is a recap of the week for George and Durant:
Paul George, Indiana Pacers
Jan. 14 vs. Sacramento: Scored 31 points on 10-of-18 shooting from the field during a 116-92 win over the Kings.
Jan. 16 vs. New York: Collected 25 points, seven rebounds and three assists in a 117-89 win over the Knicks.
Jan. 18 vs. L.A. Clippers: Tallied 36 points on 12-of-17 shooting from the field, including 5-of-6 from distance, and added six rebounds and three steals during a 106-92 win over the Clippers.
Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder
Jan. 14 @ Memphis: Connected on 15-of-28 field goals en route to 37 points in a 90-87 loss to the Grizzlies.
Jan. 16 @ Houston: Scored 36 points and added seven assists and five rebounds in a 104-92 win over the Rockets.
Jan. 17 vs. Golden State: Tallied a career-high 54 points on 19-of-28 shooting from the field during a 127-121 win over the Warriors.
Jan. 19 vs. Sacramento: Collected 30 points, nine assists, six rebounds and four steals in a 108-93 win over the Kings.
Other nominees for the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week were Charlotte’s Al Jefferson, Cleveland’s Luol Deng, Houston’s Terrence Jones, Indiana’s Lance Stephenson, Memphis’ Mike Conley, Miami’s Chris Bosh and LeBron James, Portland’s LaMarcus Aldridge and Washington’s John Wall.