With the final full week of the NBA season in the books, in the pocket, and out of sight, it's time to take a look at the best players of the last week. If you missed last week's, click here. If not, let's get into it, these are the 10 best players of the week.
MarShon Brooks
With just two games remaining this season, it's safe to say the Memphis Grizzlies have given up. Out of playoff contention with a 22-58 record on the year, the Grizzlies really have no reason to try anymore, as they're basically just determining what draft pick they get. That lack of reason to try is probably why MarShon Brooks is getting so many minutes. Having not played since 2014 before this season, Brooks found himself back in the NBA after four years, and he's been making the most of the minutes he's gotten, as he actually put some pretty good numbers in the two games he played this week. For the week, Brooks averaged 24 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 1.5 steals and a block per game while shooting 54% from the field and 46% from three-point range.
Damian Lillard
While nobody expected the Portland Trail Blazers to miss the playoffs this year, I don't think anyone was expecting them to be as good as have this season. Currently holding the 3rd seed in the Western Conference with a 48-32 record, the Blazers have locked down a playoff spot and (based on how they've done against the Golden State Warriors this season) have the potential to make a strong run in the playoffs. A 1-3 outing this past week wasn't ideal, but they have nothing to fear right now as they're a lock for the playoffs. While the team struggled, Damian Lillard continued to excel on the court this week as he has done all season. For the week, Lillard averaged 29.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 42% from the field, 33% from three-point range, and a perfect 31/31 from the free throw line.
Ben Simmons
The playoff race in the Eastern Conference is officially over, as all eight playoff spots have been clinched. One team that will be making a run at the NBA Championship is the Philadelphia 76ers, who have been unstoppable over the last few months, going 26-6 since March and are currently on a 14 game winning streak, giving them a 50-30 record on the season. It's looking pretty clear that the Process is working pretty well if you ask me. Even with Joel Embiid out with a fractured orbital bone, the team has still kept up their winning ways. A lot of that has to do with Ben Simmons, who stepped it up a notch and continued his bid to win the Rookie of the Year. For this past week, Simmons averaged a triple-double with 19.5 points, 10.3 rebounds, 10.3 assists, and 2.3 steals per game while shooting 67% from the field. Simmons' best performance of the week came in a win over the Cleveland Cavaliers when he notched his 12th triple-double of the season with 27 points, 15 rebounds, and 13 assists. Additionally, Simmons tied a career-high 15 assists in a win over the Charlotte Hornets, adding 20 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 steals along the way.
James Harden
As I said last week, the Houston Rockets really have nothing left to compete for until the playoffs actually start. Currently holding a 64-16 record on the year, the Rockets have locked down not only the best record in the Western Conference but in the entire league, becoming the first team since 2014 to lead the league in wins that isn't the Golden State Warriors. As one of the first teams to clinch a playoff berth, they probably have the best chance of stopping the Warriors from winning their third NBA Championship in four years. Leading the way for the Rockets this past week as they went 2-2 was James Harden, who seems like an easy choice for MVP considering his stat line and his team's success this year. For the week, Harden averaged 28.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 8.3 assists per game while shooting 52% from the field and 43% from three-point range. Harden's best performance of the week came in a win over the Washington Wizards when he put up 38 points, 10 rebounds, and 9 assists for a near triple-double
LaMarcus Aldridge
With only two games left on the schedule for them, it feels kind of weird knowing that the San Antonio Spurs haven't clinched a playoff spot. After all, the last time the Spurs didn't make the playoffs was 1997...over 20 years ago. I was literally just four months old the last time the Spurs weren't in the playoffs. While the team has had its share of struggles (especially with all the drama surrounding Kawhi Leonard), they've managed to stay in playoff contention. Currently holding the 6th seed in the Western Conference, there are still four spots open with five teams competing, all of which are within a game of eachother. It's do or die time, and the Spurs can't afford to lose right now. A 2-2 outing this past week didn't help, and they'll need to do better. However, if they want to make it to the playoffs, they're going to need LaMarcus Aldridge to keep playing the way he did this past week. For the week, Aldridge averaged 28.5 points, 10 rebounds, 1.8 steals, and 1.8 blocks per game while shooting 60% from the field and 94% from the free throw line.
Nikola Jokic
Just like the Spurs, another team fighting for a playoff spot is the Denver Nuggets, but they have an uphill battle to climb. Currently holding a 45-35 record, they find themselves in 9th place in the Western Conference, tied with the 8th seed Minnesota Timberwolves. With two games left to play, they cannot afford to lose. They play the Timberwolves in two days, and that game is an absolute must win. They're hot right now (currently on a five-game winning streak) and are going to need to keep that going. Which means they are going to need Nikola Jokic to keep up the good work over the next few days, just like he did this past week. For the week, Jokic averaged 26 points, 11 rebounds, 8 assists, 1.8 steals, and 1.5 blocks per game while shooting 53% from the field and 42% from three-point range. Jokic put up his 9th triple-double of the year this past week in a win over the Los Angeles Clippers, recording 23 points, 11 assists, and 11 rebounds.
Anthony Davis
Like the Spurs and the Nuggets, the New Orleans Pelicans are also on the bubble and could potentially miss out on the playoffs if they lose their last two games. Currently holding a 46-34 record on the season and sitting in the 5th seed in the Western Conference, the Pelicans need wins now. After winning their last three games, they could ride that momentum into the playoffs, but losing is not an option right now. They're going to need Anthony Davis to keep playing the way he has all season if they want to clinch a playoff berth. For the week, Davis averaged 30 points, 11.5 rebounds, 2.3 steals, and 3 blocks per game while shooting 52% from the field and 50% from three-point range.
Kevin Durant
Unlike the past three teams I've mentioned, a team that doesn't have to worry about missing out on the playoffs is the Golden State Warriors. While they fell out of the top spot of the NBA for the first time in four years, they still have a 58-23 record on the season and easily clinched a playoff spot. Even with the injuries they've dealt with at the end of the season, they're still in a good spot heading into the playoffs. This past week (in which the Warriors went 2-2) saw Kevin Durant put up some of the best numbers in the entire league. For the week, Durant averaged 32.8 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists, a steal and a block per game while shooting 48% from the field, 33% from three-point range, and 94% from the free throw line. Durant's best performance of the week came in a loss to the New Orleans Pelicans when he put up 41 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists.
LeBron James
With only one game left in their season, it's safe to say that the Cleveland Cavaliers' season was a disappointment. Going 50-31 so far during the season, the Cavaliers have clinched a playoff berth but only got the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference behind the Toronto Raptors, Boston Celtics, and the Philadelphia 76ers. It's the first time LeBron James came back to the team that they've fallen below at least the second seed in the East. Still, it's hard to count out a team that has arguably the best player in the league in LeBron James as title contenders, especially if he keeps playing the way he did this past week. For the week, James averaged a triple-double with 30 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 10.8 assists per game while shooting 50% from the field and 46% from three-point range. James recorded two triple-doubles during the week (giving him 18 on the year in total) including a 44 point, 11 rebound, and 11 assist outing in a loss to the 76ers.
Russell Westbrook
And rounding the last player of the week list for the regular season is my pick for player of the week; Russell Westbrook. The Oklahoma City Thunder (like many teams I've mentioned on this list) are on the bubble with just two games left on their schedule. Currently holding a 46-34 record and sitting in the 7th seed in the Western Conference, the Thunder need wins now or they risk slipping out of playoff contention. Going 2-1 this past week is a good sign, but these next two games are absolute must wins for the Thunder. And if they want to win their next two games, they're going to need the reigning-MVP Russell Westbrook to keep up the great work he has done all season long, and especially this past week. For the week, Westbrook averaged 31.3 points, 12.7 rebounds, 9.7 assists, and 2.7 steals per game while shooting 48% from the field and 36% from three-point range. Westbrook notched his 24th triple-double of the year in a win over the New Orleans Pelicans, putting up 26 points, 15 rebounds, and 13 assists. Two days later, Westbrook dropped 40 points, 16 rebounds, and 6 assists in a loss to the Golden State Warriors. If Westbrook continues to put up numbers like that, it won't be shocking if the Thunder cement their playoff spot over the next few days.
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