NEW YORK, Dec. 28, 2015 – The Washington Wizards’ Marcin Gortat and the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Russell Westbrook were today named NBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week, respectively, for games played Monday, Dec. 21 through Sunday, Dec. 27.
Gortat led the Wizards to a 3-0 week behind averages of 21.3 points (tied-fifth in the East), 11.7 rebounds (tied-sixth in the conference) and 1.67 blocks (10th in the conference). He posted two point-rebound double-doubles, including a 27-point, 16-rebound effort during a 113-99 win over the Sacramento Kings on Dec. 21. On Dec. 26, Gortat posted 25 points and seven rebounds during a 111-96 win over the Brooklyn Nets, which helped the Wizards improve to 14-14 on the season.
Westbrook helped the Thunder to a 3-1 week behind averages of 28.0 points (second in the West), 8.8 assists (fourth in the conference), 7.3 rebounds and 3.0 steals (tied-first in the conference). He tallied two 30-point games, a six-steal game and a 12-assist game. On Dec. 27, Westbrook fell one rebound shy of his fourth triple-double of the season when he posted 30 points, 12 assists and nine rebounds in a 122-112 win over the Denver Nuggets.
Here is a recap of the week for Gortat and Westbrook:
Marcin Gortat, Washington Wizards
Dec. 21 vs. Sacramento: Tallied 27 points, 16 rebounds and four blocks during a 113-99 win over the Kings.
Dec. 23 vs. Memphis: Posted his second consecutive double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds in a 100-91 win over the Grizzlies.
Dec. 26 @ Brooklyn: Scored 25 points and added seven rebounds and three assists during a 111-96 win over the Nets.
Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder
Dec. 21 @ L.A. Clippers: Posted 33 points, seven assists, five rebounds and three steals during a 100-99 win over the Clippers.
Dec. 23 @ L.A. Lakers: Tallied 23 points, eight rebounds and eight assists in a 120-85 win against the Lakers.
Dec. 25 vs. Chicago: Collected 26 points, eight assists, seven rebounds and six steals during a 105-96 loss to the Bulls.
Dec. 27 vs. Denver: Scored 30 points and added 12 assists and nine rebounds during a 122-112 win over the Nuggets.
Other nominees for the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week were Atlanta’s Jeff Teague, Boston’s Jae Crowder, Golden State’s Draymond Green, the Los Angeles Clippers’ Chris Paul, Miami’s Chris Bosh, New Orleans’ Anthony Davis, Oklahoma City’s Kevin Durant, Orlando’s Nikola Vucevic, Portland’s CJ McCollum, Toronto’s DeMar DeRozan and Washington’s John Wall.
