By: Donovan Holden
In week eighteen two of league’s most dynamic scorers were honored with Player of the Week. One of them is second in the NBA in points per game, and the other is tied for third. Both are stand out stars at their position and led their squads to all victories this past week.
Western Conference: Luka Doncic
- Team: Dallas Mavericks
- Stats: 26 PTS, 10 AST, 9 REB
- Team Record: 3-0
Luka Doncic joins Giannis Antetokounmpo and Nikola Jokic as the only players to be honored Player of the Week three times this season. This past week Luka showed that he has more to his game than just scoring in bunches. He was all over the glass nearly averaging 10 rebounds per game and he also had his hands in the cookie jar, averaging 1.7 steals per game.
The Mavericks are in a position where they need to be winning to avoid the play-in tournament, and Luka is stepping up. He has the ability to carry the scoring load and win games single handedly but lately he has been spreading the wealth. Doncic had 13 assists in a 108-93 victory over the Lakers.
Eastern Conference: Bradley Beal
- Team: Washington Wizards
- Stats: 31.3 PTS, 5.8 REB, 55 3-Point FG%
- Team Record: 4-0
Bradley Beal has been at the top of league’s scoring list all season long, and now him and Westbrook have the Wizards clicking on all cylinders. The sharp-shooting guard has been on a scoring tear all season long and holds a league high 31 games with 30+ points, and is tied for second with 5 games of 40+ points.
The former Florida Gator was the only player to score 29+ points in all four games this week and shot 55% from 3-point land. This is the fourth time in his career being honored with Player of the Week, but I am sure Beal’s priority is making that play-in tournament. The Wizards currently sit at the 10 seed in the Eastern Conference.
Honorable Mentions:
Eastern Conference: Russell Westbrook
- Team: Washington Wizards
- Stats: 19.5 PTS, 11.8 REB, 12.3 AST
- Triple double machine
Western Conference: Stephen Curry
- Team: Golden State Warriors
- Stats: 34 PTS (Up to 85 3-point shots made in April)
- Team Record: 3-1
- On Another Level
The sports desk can be reached at editorialtrainwrecksports@gmail.com