HAWKS’ JOHNSON EARNS EASTERN CONFERENCE
PLAYER OF THE WEEK HONOR
All-Star guard named for second time this season; LA Lakers’ Kobe Bryant takes Western Conference honor

ATLANTA, GA (Apr. 7, 2008) -- For the second time in 2007-08, and fresh off his Eastern Conference Player of the Month award for March, the Hawks’ Joe Johnson today was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week for games played Monday, March 31, through Sunday, April 6. Los Angeles Lakers’ guard Kobe Bryant took home that honor for the Western Conference.

Johnson led the Hawks to a 3-1 week, which included wins over two playoff-bound Eastern Conference foes, Philadelphia and Toronto. He averaged 25.3 points on .556 shooting from the field, 8.3 assists and 5.5 rebounds. Johnson also shot .455 from three-point range. For the season, Johnson is Atlanta’s leader in scoring, assists, free throw percentage, three-point percentage and three-point field goals made.

Here is a recap of Johnson’s week:

March 31 @Memphis: Recorded 19 points and eight assists in a 116-99 win over the Grizzlies.
April 2 vs. Toronto: Tallied 28 points, 11 assists and seven rebounds in a 127-120 win over the Raptors.
April 4 vs. Philadelphia: Posted 32 points, eight assists and six rebounds in a 109-104 loss to the 76ers.
April 5 @Philadelphia: Scored 22 points and added eight rebounds and six assists in a 92-85 win over the 76ers.

Atlanta currently owns the eighth spot in the race for the final Eastern Conference playoff slot and plays at Indiana Tuesday. With a win over the Pacers, the Hawks’ magic number to clinching a postseason berth reduces to one game.