Al Jefferson, Dirk Nowitzki named NBA Players of the Week

The Charlotte Bobcats' Al Jefferson and the Dallas Mavericks' Dirk Nowitzki on Monday were named NBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week, respectively, for games played Monday, March 31, through Sunday, April 6.

Jefferson led the Bobcats to a 4-0 week, which saw them clinch their second playoff berth in franchise history. Jefferson averaged 24.3 points (fourth in the conference) on .481 shooting from the floor, to go along with13.0 rebounds (second in the conference) and 1.25 blocks (tied for fifth in the conference).

Nowitzki led the Mavericks to a 3-1 week, averaging 25.3 points (fourth in the conference) and 8.0 rebounds. He connected on 13-of-23 three-point attempts and his .565 shooting from behind the arc was good for seventh in the conference.

Other nominees for the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week were Atlanta's Paul Millsap and Jeff Teague, Brooklyn's Joe Johnson, Chicago's Joakim Noah, Golden State's Klay Thompson, Houston's Omer Asik and James Harden, Miami's LeBron James, New York's J.R. Smith, Phoenix's Gerald Green, Sacramento's DeMarcus Cousins, San Antonio's Kawhi Leonard and Toronto's DeMar DeRozan.