The Boston Celtics’ Jared Sullinger 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, Feb. 3, through Sunday, Feb. 9.
It is the fifth time Durant has won the award this season.
Sullinger helped the Celtics to a 2-1 week, which included wins over the Philadelphia 76ers and Sacramento Kings. He averaged 20.3 points (13th in the conference), 12.7 rebounds (second in the conference) and 1.67 blocks (fourth in the conference). Sullinger posted a point-rebound double-double in all three games, including a 31-point, 16-rebound effort on Feb. 7, when the Celtics topped the Kings 99-89 at TD Garden.
Durant led the Thunder to a 3-1 week, which included wins over Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves and New York Knicks.
He averaged 31.8 points (second in the conference), 9.0 assists (second in the conference) and 8.0 rebounds. Durant posted two-double-doubles, including a 41-point, 10-rebound effort in which he added nine assists on Feb. 9, as the Thunder beat the Knicks 112-100, at Chesapeake Energy Arena.
Here is a recap of the week for Sullinger and Durant:
Jared Sullinger, Boston Celtics
Feb. 5 @ Philadelphia: Collected 19 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and four blocks in a 114-108 win over the 76ers.
Feb. 7 vs. Sacramento: Tallied 31 points and 16 rebounds during a 99-89 win over the Kings.
Feb. 9 vs. Dallas: Notched his third double-double of the week (and fifth consecutive) with 11 points and 12 rebounds in a 102-91 loss to the Mavericks.
Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder
Feb. 3 vs. Memphis: Scored 31 points and added eight rebounds and eight assists in an 86-77 win over the Grizzlies.
Feb. 5 vs. Minnesota: Posted 26 points, nine rebounds and seven assists during a 106-97 win over the Timberwolves.
Feb. 9 vs. New York: Tallied 41 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists as the Thunder topped the Knicks 112-100.
Other nominees for the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week were Brooklyn’s Mason Plumlee, Charlotte’s Al Jefferson, Detroit’s Brandon Jennings and Josh Smith, Houston’s Dwight Howard, Indiana’s David West, Los Angeles Clippers’ Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan, Orlando’s Victor Oladipo and San Antonio’s Patty Mills.