#ClutchNBA Kemba Walker (East) y Kawhi Leonad (West) los Jugadores de la Semana (Feb. 28 to Mar. 4) en la NBA

CHARLOTTE’S WALKER AND SAN ANTONIO’S LEONARD NAMED NBA EASTERN AND WESTERN CONFERENCE PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

NEW YORK, March 6, 2017 – The Charlotte Hornets’ Kemba Walker and the San Antonio Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard today were named NBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week, respectively, for games played Monday, Feb. 27 through Sunday, March 5.

Walker averaged 27.7 points (third in the East), 6.3 assists (tied for fifth in the East), 4.3 rebounds and 1.33 steals for the week as the Hornets went 2-1.  The All-Star guard opened the week by recording 30 points, seven assists and five rebounds and hitting the go-ahead three-pointer with 1:55 to play in a 109-104 victory at the Los Angeles Lakers.  On March 4, he scored a team-high 27 points and added four assists, four rebounds and two steals in a 112-102 road win over the Denver Nuggets.  

Leonard led the Spurs to a 3-0 week behind averages of 32.0 points (second in the West), 9.0 rebounds, 4.3 assists and a league-best 4.0 steals.  On March 1, he hit the game-winning basket with 2.4 seconds remaining to cap a 31-point outing in a 100-99 victory over the Indiana Pacers.  The All-Star forward closed the week with 34 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and a season-high six steals in a 97-90 overtime win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on March 4.  That performance marked his 90^th straight game with at least 10 points, the longest streak by a Spur since Tim Duncan’s 91-game run ended in 2003. 

Here is a recap of the week for Walker and Leonard: 

Kemba Walker, Charlotte Hornets

Feb. 28 @ L.A. Lakers Recorded 30 points, seven assists and five rebounds in a 109-104 victory over the Lakers.

March 2 @ Phoenix: Finished with 26 points, eight assists, four rebounds and two steals in a 120-103 loss to the Suns.

March 4 @ Denver: Posted 27 points, four rebounds, four assists and two steals in a 112-102 victory over the Nuggets.

Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio Spurs

March 1 vs. Indiana: Scored the game-winning basket with 2.4 seconds left during a 31-point, 10-rebound effort in a 100-99 win over the Pacers.

March 3 @ New Orleans: Recorded 31 points, seven rebounds, six assists and three steals in a 101-98 overtime victory over the Pelicans.

March 4 vs. Minnesota: Contributed 34 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and six steals in a 97-90 overtime win over the Timberwolves. 

Other nominees for the NBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week were Boston’s Isaiah Thomas, Dallas’ Seth Curry, New Orleans’ DeMarcus Cousins and Anthony Davis, Oklahoma City’s Russell Westbrook, Phoenix’s Tyler Ulis, Portland’s Damian Lillard, Toronto’s DeMar DeRozan and Washington’s Bradley Beal and Bojan Bogdanovic.

LeBron James y Russell Westbrook los Jugadores del Mes de marzo; Steve Clifford y Steve Kerr los Dirigentes del Mes; Towns y Richardson los Novatos

Hornets’ Steve Clifford, Warriors’ Steve Kerr named

 NBA Coaches of the Month

NEW YORK – The Charlotte Hornets’ Steve Clifford and the Golden State Warriors’ Steve Kerr today 

were named the NBA Eastern and Western Conference Coaches of the Month, respectively, 

for games played in March.

Clifford led the Hornets to the East’s best record at 13-3.  The 13 wins are a Hornets franchise record

 for a month.  Charlotte opened March with a seven-game winning streak during which their average 

margin of victory was 15.1 points.  The Hornets ranked second in the Eastern Conference in scoring 

at 109.2 ppg, and their eight home wins improved their season tally to 27 – third most in the conference.

Kerr guided the Warriors to the West’s best record at 15-2.  Golden State posted a seven-game 

winning streak from March 7-18 and closed the month on a six-game winning streak.  

The Warriors led the NBA in scoring at 114.0 ppg and ranked second in the Western Conference 

in field goal percentage at 47.9 percent.  At 68-7, the Warriors have joined the 1995-96 and

 1996-97 Chicago Bulls as the only teams to win 65 or more games in consecutive seasons.

Other nominees for Coach of the Month were Atlanta’s Mike Budenholzer, Detroit’s Stan Van Gundy, 

Miami’s Erik Spoelstra, Oklahoma City’s Billy Donovan, San Antonio’s Gregg Popovich and 

Toronto’s Dwane Casey. 

Heat’s Josh Richardson, Timberwolves’ Karl-Anthony Towns 

named Kia NBA Rookies of the Month

NEW YORK– The Miami Heat’s Josh Richardson and the Minnesota Timberwolves’ Karl-Anthony Towns

 today were named the Kia NBA Eastern and Western Conference Rookies of the Month, respectively, 

for games played in March.

Richardson helped the Heat go 10-5 in March by ranking second among East rookies in scoring (12.0 ppg)

 and assists (2.1 apg), and leading the conference’s first-year players in field goal percentage (53.7),

 three-point field goal percentage (58.9) and steals (1.3 spg).  He averaged 29.1 minutes for the month 

and scored in double figures in eight of 10 games from March 9-28.  His versatility was on full display 

March 14, when Richardson posted 17 points (including 4-of-5 shooting from three-point range), 

four rebounds, three blocks, two assists and two steals in a 124-119 win over the Denver Nuggets.

Towns, the West winner for the fifth month in a row, ranked second among rookies in scoring (21.9 ppg) 

and led all first-year players in rebounding (10.5 rpg) and field goal percentage (58.2). 

 He scored in double figures in all 15 of Minnesota’s games and posted 11 games with 10 or more rebounds,

 adding to his franchise rookie record for double-doubles, which now stands at 48.  

On March 23, Towns accounted for 26 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks during a 113-104 win 

over the Sacramento Kings.

Here is a closer look at March for Richardson and Towns:

Josh Richardson, Miami Heat

March 11 @ Chicago: Scored 22 points on 9-of-12 shooting from the field and added four assists 

during a 118-96 win over the Bulls.

March 14 vs. Denver: Recorded 17 points and added four rebounds, three blocks, 

two assists and two steals in a 124-119 victory over the Nuggets.

March 28 vs. Brooklyn: Tallied 16 points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals during a 110-99 

win over the Nets.

Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves

March 5 vs. Brooklyn: Scored 28 points and added seven assists, six rebounds, three blocks and 

two steals in a 132-118 win over the Nets.

March 23 vs. Sacramento: Posted 26 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks during a 113-104 win 

over the Kings.

March 28 vs. Phoenix: Contributed 27 points, 10 rebounds and five assists during a 121-116 victory 

over the Suns.

Other nominees for the Kia NBA Eastern and Western Conference Rookies of the Month were

 Denver’s Emmanuel Mudiay, New York’s Kristaps Porzingis, Phoenix’s Devin Booker and 

Toronto’s Norman Powell.

Kia NBA Eastern and Western Conference Rookies of the Month 

The Kia NBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Month are part of a series of oncourt 

performance awards called “The Kia NBA Performance Awards.” The series, currently in its ninth season, 

is part of a multiyear marketing partnership between Kia Motors America and the NBA, and includes

 five of the league’s most prestigious year-end honors: Kia Most Valuable Player Award, 

Kia Defensive Player of the Year, Kia Sixth Man Award, Kia Most Improved Player Award and 

Kia Rookie of the Year.  It also includes the Kia NBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Month

 during the regular season.  Kia serves as the Official Automotive Partner and Official Luxury Vehicle 

of the NBA.  For more information on the “The Kia NBA Performance Awards,” visit NBA.com/awards.

Cavaliers’ LeBron James, Thunder’s Russell Westbrook 

named Kia NBA Players of the Month

NEW YORK – The Cleveland Cavaliers’ LeBron James and the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Russell Westbrook

 today were named the Kia NBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Month, respectively, 

for games played in March.

James ranked second in the East in scoring (25.6 ppg) and fifth in assists (7.1 apg) as the Cavaliers 

went 11-5 for the month (10-4 with James in the lineup).  He added 8.2 rebounds and shot 53.8 percent 

from the field.  James was the only player in the NBA to average at least 25.0 points, 8.0 rebounds 

and 7.0 assists in March.  He posted seven double-doubles and recorded two triple-doubles.  

In a 107-87 win over the Brooklyn Nets on March 31, James scored 24 points to move into 12th place 

on the NBA’s all-time scoring list (he is now 11th).

Westbrook led the Thunder to an 11-5 record behind averages of 21.7 points, 10.6 assists (third in the NBA) 

and 8.3 rebounds.  His seven triple-doubles in March were the most in a calendar month since 

Michael Jordan had seven in April 1989.  Those performances increased Westbrook’s season total 

to 16 triple-doubles, the most since Magic Johnson had 17 in 1988-89.  

Westbrook scored at least 20 points in 11 of 16 games for the month and logged nine games with 

double-digit assists, including a career-high 19 in a 120-109 win over the Clippers on March 9.

Here is a closer look at March for James and Westbrook:

LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers 

March 5 vs. Boston: Finished with 28 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists in a 120-103 win 

over the Celtics.

March 21 vs. Denver: Posted a triple-double with 33 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists in a 124-91 

win over the Nuggets.

March 26 @ New York: Logged second triple-double in March with 27 points, 11 rebounds and 

11 assists in a 107-93 win over the Knicks.

Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder

March 9 vs. L.A. Clippers: Finished with 25 points, 19 assists and 11 rebounds in a 120-108 

win over the Clippers.

March 22 vs. Houston: Scored 21 points and added 15 assists and 12 rebounds in a 111-107 

win over the Rockets.

March 28 @ Toronto: Tallied 26 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds in a 119-100 win over the Raptors.

Other nominees for the Kia NBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Month were

 Atlanta’s Paul Millsap, Boston’s Isaiah Thomas, Charlotte’s Kemba Walker, Dallas’ Dirk Nowitzki, 

Golden State’s Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, Houston’s James Harden, Miami’s Hassan Whiteside,

 Oklahoma City’s Kevin Durant, Portland’s Damian Lillard, San Antonio’s LaMarcus Aldridge and 

Kawhi Leonard, and Toronto’s DeMar DeRozan.

ClutchNBA: Stephen Curry (West) y Kemba Walker (East) fueron seleccionados los Jugadores de la Semana en la NBA

Hornets’ Kemba Walker, Warriors’ Stephen Curry named NBA Players of the Week

NEW YORK – The Charlotte Hornets’ Kemba Walker and the Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry
 were named NBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week, respectively, 
for games played Monday, March 7 through Sunday, March 13.

Walker helped the Hornets to a 4-0 week with averages of 27.8 points (second in the Eastern Conference),
 6.8 assists (10th in the conference) and 5.0 rebounds.  He recorded two games with at least 30 points 
and dished out six or more assists in all four contests.  Walker connected on 16-of-31 (51.6 percent) 
three-point field goals for the week.  On March 12, Walker posted 26 points, six assists and five rebounds 
as the Hornets recorded their seventh straight win, a 125-109 victory over the Houston Rockets.

Curry led the Warriors to a 4-0 week behind averages of 30.5 points (third in the Western Conference), 
5.8 assists, 5.5 rebounds and 2.25 steals (sixth in the conference).  
He connected on 24-of-52 (46.2 percent) from beyond the arc, 
adding to his NBA-record tally of three-point makes in a season, which currently stands at 318. 
 Curry recorded two double-doubles, including his 41-point, 
13-rebound effort during Golden State’s 119-113 win over the Orlando Magic on March 7.

Here is a recap of the week for Walker and Curry:

Kemba Walker, Charlotte Hornets

March 7 vs. Minnesota: Scored 34 points and added seven rebounds and
 six assists during a 108-103 win over the Timberwolves.

March 9 vs. New Orleans: Posted 35 points, seven rebounds and seven assists in a 122-113 
win over the Pelicans.         

March 11 vs. Detroit: Tallied 16 points and eight assists in a 118-103 win over the Pistons.

March 12 vs. Houston: Scored 26 points and added six assists and five rebounds during a
 125-109 win over the Rockets.

Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors 

March 7 vs. Orlando: Scored 41 points and added 13 rebounds, three assists and four steals 
during a 119-113 win over the Magic.

March 9 vs. Utah: Posted his second straight double-double by scoring 12 points and dishing out 10 assists 
in a 115-94 win over the Jazz.

March 11 vs. Portland: Scored 34 points and added four assists, three rebounds and two steals in a 
128-112 win over the Trail Blazers.

March 12 vs. Phoenix: Scored 35 points and added six assists in a 123-116 win over the Suns.

Other nominees for the NBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week were Atlanta’s Paul Millsap, Cleveland’s Kyrie Irving and LeBron James, Denver’s Emmanuel Mudiay, Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo, Phoenix’s Devin Booker, San Antonio’s LaMarcus Aldridge and Toronto’s DeMar DeRozan.

Bemba Walker (East) y DeMarcus Coursins (West) los Jugadores de la Semana en la NBA

HORNETS’ WALKER AND KINGS’ COUSINS NAMED

NBA EASTERN AND WESTERN CONFERENCE PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

NEW YORK, Jan. 25, 2016 – The Charlotte Hornets’ Kemba Walker and the Sacramento Kings’ DeMarcus Cousins were today named NBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week, respectively, for games played Monday, Jan. 18 through Sunday, Jan. 24.

Walker helped the Hornets to a 3-1 week behind averages of 34.8 points (first in the Eastern Conference), 6.0 assists (tied-ninth in the conference), 6.0 rebounds and 2.25 steals (tied-fourth in the conference).  On Jan. 18, Walker set a Hornets franchise record with 52 points and added nine rebounds and eight assists during a 124-119 double-overtime win against the Utah Jazz. 

Cousins led the Kings to a 3-0 week behind averages of 36.0 points (first in the NBA) and 14.7 rebounds (second in the NBA).  He recorded point-rebound double-doubles in all three games and now has 25 double-doubles on the season (fourth in the NBA).  On Jan. 23, Cousins poured in a career-high 48 points and pulled down 13 rebounds in a 108-97 win over the Indiana Pacers.

Here is a recap of the week for Walker and Cousins:       

Kemba Walker, Charlotte Hornets

Jan. 18 vs. Utah: Tallied a franchise-record 52 points and added nine rebounds and eight assists in a 124-119 double-overtime win over the Jazz.  

Jan. 22 @ Orlando: Posted 40 points, nine assists, seven rebounds and four steals during a 120-116 overtime win against the Magic.  

Jan. 23 vs. New York: Collected 26 points, six rebounds and five assists in a 97-84 win over the Knicks.

DeMarcus Cousins, Sacramento Kings

Jan. 20 @ L.A. Lakers: Scored 36 points and added 16 rebounds during a 112-93 win over the Lakers.   

Jan. 21 vs. Atlanta: Posted 24 points, 15 rebounds, five assists and three steals during a 91-88 win over the Hawks.  

Jan. 23 vs. Indiana: Netted a career-high 48 points and added 13 rebounds during a 108-97 win over the Pacers.

Other nominees for the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week were Golden State’s Stephen Curry, Houston’s James Harden, New Orleans’ Anthony Davis, Oklahoma City’s Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, Phoenix’s Tyson Chandler, Toronto’s DeMar DeRozan and Utah’s Gordon Hayward.

NBA en Directo: Noticias sobre la NBA

Los 76ers suspenden por dos juegos al novato Jahlil Okafor por sus recientes acciones relacionadas a una pelea a las afueras de un Pub

We have made the determination to suspend Jahlil Okafor for two games, effective immediately. Jahlil is a very important part of our organization and our future. While we are disappointed with his recent actions, we have faith in him as a valued member of the Sixers. We will provide the necessary resources to support him on his journey and will do our part to help him succeed both on and off the court.

 En centro de los Jazz de Utah, Rudy Gobert, estará fuera indefinidamente al lastimarse el MCL de su rodilla izquierda en un segundo grado, no necesitará cirugía, pero se desconoce cuando regresará a juego. Una gran perdida para las aspiraciones de unos jóvenes Jazz que lo necesitan como su bujía defensiva. La lección se produjo en una práctica.

 Los Charlotte Hornets deciden premiar la labor de su coach Steve Clifford con un contrato multianual.