ATLANTA -- Al Horford today was named NBA Eastern Conference Player of the Week for games played from Monday, Dec. 15 through Sunday, Dec. 21.
In winning the honor for the second time in his career, Horford led the Hawks to a perfect 3-0 week (road wins over Cleveland and Houston, and a home win over Chicago), averaging 18.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.7 blocks and 1.0 steals in 32.0 minutes (.605 FG%, .750 FT%). He was the only player in the NBA to average at least 18.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.0 blocks and 1.0 steals, and shoot at least .600 FG% for the week. Including the three-game winning streak, Atlanta has won 12-of-13.
In the 12/15 contest against Chicago, he recorded a double-double of 21 points and 10 rebounds to go along with a season-high six assists and two steals in 33 minutes (10-19 FGs). He followed that up with a 20-point night at Cleveland (10-14 FGs) in 31 minutes and 14 points, eight rebounds, five assists, three blocks and a steal in 32 minutes at Houston. He set or tied season-highs in assists, defensive rebounds and blocks during the week.
Horford helped Atlanta to lead the NBA in FG% (.528), apg (29.3) and assist/turnover ratio (2.59) last week, while ranking first in the East (second in the NBA) in ppg (108.0). On the season, he ranks 12th in the NBA in FG%, t13th in bpg and t26th in FGM (170) in 29.8 mpg.