NBA Players of the Week: Ja Morant and Joel Embiid dominated the floor

Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies was the best in the Western Conference last week, averaging 28.0 points per game. The Eastern Conference was dominated by Joel Embiid, who averaged an impressive 40.7 points per game.

In the Western Conference, the best player was Morant

Returning starter Ja Morant served a 25 game suspension for sharing a video on social media with guns. NBA management has been absolutely adamant about this and he has only recently returned to the boards. But he’s all the more eager to play basketball again.

The Memphis team has been bogged down in the underbelly of the NBA during his absence, but his return is like pouring living water on the Grizzlies. He decided the very first game after his return with a last-second game-winning shot, and he was a central figure in the team’s subsequent games as well.

He averaged 28.0 points per game during the evaluation period, adding 9.0 assists and 5.7 rebounds. Morant earned this award for the first time since the 2021-22 season and was voted overall Star of the Week for the third time in his career.

Western Conference Players of the Week

24/10 – 29/10 – Nikola Jokic – Denver Nuggets

30/10 – 5/11 – Stephen Curry – Golden State Warriors

6/11 – 12/11 – Anthony Edwards – Minnesota Timberwolves

13/11 – 19/11 – De’Aaron Fox – Sacramento Kings

20/11 – 26/11 – Devin Booker – Phoenix Suns

27/11 – 3/12 – De´Aaron Fox – Sacramento Kings

12/12 – 18/12 – Luka Doncic – Dallas Mavericks

Eastern Conference ruled by Embiid

The top scorer from the past two seasons literally dominated last week, averaging nearly 41.0 points per game. He also averaged 12.0 rebounds and 6.0 assists. He led the Philadelphia team to two game winning games.

NBA Players of the Week for Week 9.

West: Ja Morant (@memgrizz)
East: Joel Embiid (@sixers) pic.twitter.com/LNXV4DhaDN

— NBA (@NBA) December 26, 2023

Embiid, who is going for his third King of Scorers crown, has also crossed the 50-point mark twice this season. So far this season, only Dallas shooter Luka Doncic has matched him. He is only the second player this season, after De’Aaron Fox, to win this award more than once and this is the 10th time overall in his career that he has been so honored.

It would still take the reigning league MVP to carry his performance into the playoffs. Either way, his performances are giving fans flashbacks to the years when Hall of Fame member Allen Iverson was on a rampage for the 76ers.

Eastern Conference for the 2nd time in the hands of Embiid

24/10 – 29/10 – Tyrese Maxey – Philadelphia 76ers

30/10 – 5/11 – Jason Tatum – Boston Celtics

6/11 – 12/11 – Joel Embiid – Philadelphia 76ers

13/11 – 19/11 – Jalen Brunson – New York Knicks

20/11 – 26/11 – Paolo Banchero – Orlando Magic

27/11 – 3/12 – Julius Randle – New York Knicks

12/12 – 18/12 – Janis Adetokunbo – Milwaukee Bucks

Source: NBA