MIAMI, FL – The NBA announced today that Miami HEAT guard Dwyane Wade was named the Eastern Conference Player of the Week for games played Monday, December 16, through Sunday, December 22. This marks the 49th time in franchise history a HEAT player has earned Player of the Week honors and the 17th time Wade has earned the honor.
Wade led the HEAT to a perfect 3-0 record, averaging 26.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.00 steals while shooting 60 percent from the field, 50 percent from three-point range and 78.6 percent from the foul line. He scored at least 20 points and shot at least 56 percent from the field in all three games. Wade also shot at least 60 percent from the field in three consecutive games from December 14-18, tying the third-longest such streak of his career. Additionally, he blocked his 676th career block on December 1, surpassing Dennis Johnson (675) for the most blocks by a guard 6’4” or shorter in NBA history. By comparison, Johnson recorded his 675th career block in 1,100 career games as Wade recorded his 676th block in 679 games, 421 fewer games than Johnson. Since Wade entered the league in 2003-04, no guard has blocked more shots than him over that span. Wade has now blocked 678 career blocks, third-most by any guard in league history. Only Ron Harper (729) and Clyde Drexler (719) have more.
Wade led off the week scoring 27 points on 9-of-14 (.643) from the field while grabbing five rebounds, dishing out two assists and blocking one shot in a, 117-94, win vs. Utah on December 16. On December 18, vs. Indiana, he scored a game- and season-high 32 points while shooting 60 percent (15-of-25) from the field and also recorded a game-high three steals, three rebounds and an assist. He scored 18 points in the second half, including a team-high nine in the fourth quarter, to help Miami overcome a 15-point deficit to earn a, 97-94, victory against the Pacers. In the final game of the week, Wade posted 20 points, five rebounds, five assists and three steals in a, 122-103, win vs. Sacramento.
Among league leaders this season, Wade ranks sixth in steals per game (2.05) and 10th in field goal percentage (.541).