Nuggets center Nikola Jokic has been named the Player of the Week for the Western Conference, while Hawks guard Trae Young has won the award in the East, the NBA announced on Monday (via Twitter).
Jokic helped guide Denver to a perfect 4-0 record last week, averaging a triple-double (29.8 points, 10.8 rebounds, 10.3 assists) on remarkable efficiency (.657/.409/.818 shooting line, only 1.8 turnovers) in his four appearances. The Nuggets outscored their opponents by an average of 19.0 points per 100 possessions with Jokic on the court last week.
The three-time MVP has now been named the West’s Player of the Week three times in 2024/25; no other player in the conference has won more than once. Three players in the East (Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Giannis Antetokounmpo) have won the weekly award two times this season.
It has been a good day for Young, who was also named an All-Star on Monday. He’ll replace Antetokounmpo, who is dealing with a mild calf strain, in the exhibition game.
Young helped Atlanta go 3-1 last week, averaging 31.3 points, 10.5 assists and 1.8 rebounds on .482/.341/.853 shooting in those four games. The former Oklahoma standout is averaging a league-high 11.4 assists per game in ’24/25 (Jokic is second with 10.3).
Jokic beat out Devin Booker, Anthony Edwards, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, LeBron James, Anfernee Simons, and his teammate Michael Porter Jr. in the West. Jalen Brunson, Cade Cunningham, Garland, Jayson Tatum and Franz Wagner were the other nominees in the East (Twitter link).