Dwight Howard was named the Eastern Conference Player of the Week for games played Monday, Jan. 16, through Sunday, Jan. 22, while Marc Gasol took the honor in the Western Conference.

It marks the first time this season and the 18th time of his career that Howard has earned the league's top weekly honor.

Howard averaged 19.5 points, 18.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 2.8 blocks as Orlando went 3-1. Howard posted three point-rebound double-doubles, including back-to-back 20-point, 20-rebound games to close the week vs. the San Antonio Spurs and Los Angeles Lakers. 

The Miami Heat’s LeBron James and the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Kevin Durant today were named the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week, respectively, for games played Sunday, Dec. 25, through Sunday, Jan. 1.

James guided the Heat to a 5-0 record to start the season, including an opening-night victory over the Dallas Mavericks in a rematch of the 2011 Finals. James led the league in scoring (29.6 ppg), paced the conference in steals (2.40 spg), and averaged a team high in assists (6.6 apg). James scored 34 or more points on three occasions, including 37 in Miami’s 105-94 win at Dallas Dec. 25.

Durant helped the Thunder to a 5-0 start as well, averaging a Western Conference-best 27.4 points (second overall), while shooting .547 from the field and .500 from beyond the arc. Durant opened the 2011-12 campaign with four 30-plus-point performances. He recorded a double-double – 30 points and 11 rebounds – in a 104-102 win over the Mavericks Dec. 29.