NBA Week in Review: December 25-31
This is the first installment of my weekly NBA newsletter, where I will give awards to stand out performers for each week.
Player of the Week: Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks
(Photo via Sporting News)
44.5 PPG 12 RPG 10.3 APG (4 Games, 4-0 Record)
Luka Doncic being the player of the week was without a doubt the easiest selection I had to make. He became the first player in NBA history to have a 60-20-10 triple double, with his 60 point, 21 rebound, 10 assist performance in an overtime victory vs the Knicks. He also closed the week strong, with 51 points, 6 rebounds and 9 assists last night vs San Antonio. Further proof that he had a historic week was that he also had games with 35-13-12 and 32-9-9, but those won’t even make major headlines.
Rookie of the Week: Bennedict Mathurin, Indiana Pacers
(Photo via Fansided)
17.8 PPG, 2.5 RPG 1.8 APG (4 Games, 3-1 Record)
In a week where his rookie counterparts all had at least one subpar performance, Mathurin put together four straight games of high level play. He had at least 15 points in each games, capped off with a 23 point performance in a 135-126 win over the Cavaliers.
Team of the Week: Boston Celtics (3 Games, 3-0 Record)
(Photo via Boston.com)
The Boston Celtics have the best record of any NBA team as we enter 2023, and they were awarded the team of the week after winning all three of their game. They defeated the Bucks to secure the league’s best record 139-118 on Christmas Day, and followed that up with victories over the Rockets (126-102) and the Clippers (116-110) to round out the week. There were other undefeated teams this week, but the wins over the Bucks and Clippers were impressive enough to earn them this award based on strength of schedule.
Game of the Week: Dallas Mavericks vs New York Knicks (12/27)
(Photo via NBA.com)
Final Score: Dallas 126, New York 121 (OT)
There were a number of high quality matchups that came down to the wire, but this game stood above the rest. The knicks were up 9 with 33 seconds left, but the Mavs came roaring back to force overtime. Down two with just 4.2 seconds remaining, Luka intentionally missed the second free throw and miraculously got the rebound and scored a put back basket with a second left in regulation. Dallas would outscore the Knicks 11 to 6 in overtime, and pull away with the 126-121 victory in a regular season classic.
All-NBA Team of the Week (Photos via NBA.com)
G Luka Doncic 44.5 PPG, 12 RPG, 10.3 APG (4 Games, 4-0 Record)
Luka was our player of the week so we already broke his week down up above, the numbers speak for themselves.
G Paul George 31 PPG, 6 RPG, 6.5 APG (4 Games, 2-2 Record)
PG13 has missed a lot of games already this year due to injury, but the more he is on the court the more he looks like his old self. Even though the Clippers came up short last night by a point to Indiana, George had his best game of the year so far compiling 45 points along with 9 rebounds and 4 assists.
F LeBron James 35 PPG, 8 RPG, 6.3 APG (4 Games, 2-2 Record)
The King turned 38 this week, but is showing no signs of being a player who’s career is nearing the end. His best performance of the week was on his birthday against the Hawks, where he willed the Lakers to victory behind his 47 points, 10 rebounds and 9 assists.
F Giannis Antetokounmpo 38.3 PPG, 17 RPG, 5 APG (3 Games, 1-2 Record)
Giannis is the only one on the team that had a losing record this week, but it was certainly not due to his play. He had 45 points, 22 rebounds and 7 assists in a losing effort vs Chicago, but helped the team get back in the win column with a 43 point, 20 rebound performance vs Minnesota two days after.
C Nikola Jokic 30 PPG, 10.8 RPG, 11 APG (4 Games, 3-1 Record)
The Joker continues to put up statistics that should be impossible for an NBA center. The back-to-back MVP continues to make it clear he is in the running to get the award for a third year in a row, putting up 41 points, 15 rebounds and 15 assists in a Christmas Day overtime win over Phoenix.