Shams Charania of The Athletic reported that Giannis Antetokounmpo and De’Aaron Fox are the NBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week.
Fox led the Kings to a 4-0 week with wins over the Pelicans, Celtics, Nuggets, and Clippers. 3 of these 4 teams are in playoff positions currently, making this all the more impressive. During the week, he averaged 31 PPG, 2.8 RPG, and 8.8 APG. This is the first time Fox has received the player of the week award.
For a Kings team currently on the outside of the playoff race, this week was crucial. They are now tied with the 8-seed Warriors record of 12-11, only behind due to their loss against them. The King’s schedule remains tough with matchups against Philly, Brooklyn, Miami, and the Bucks looming. They will need their point guard to keep up his stellar performances to keep fighting for a playoff position over the coming weeks.
The Bucks also went 4-0 this week, with wins over the Trail Blazers, Pacers, and Cavs twice. Their schedule was easier than the Kings, but a 4-0 week is impressive nonetheless. Giannis averaged 24 PPG, 10.3 RPG, and 6.3 APG to go along with 1.5 blocks a game. Unlike Fox, Giannis is a player of the week veteran, this being his 14th time winning the award.
The Bucks are 2nd in the east with a record of 15-8, behind Philadelphia. They will likely be battling with the 76ers and Nets for supremacy in the east all season long. To keep this up, they will look to Giannis to lead them to more weeks such as this.
