Happy week for Lauri Markkanen ! Besides the Jazz playing their best basketball of the season, the All-Star power forward added two trophies to his mantelpiece. First that of sportsman of the year in Finland, and this is a first for a basketball player, then this evening, that of Player Of The Week for the Western Conference.
Undefeated in four games with Utah, Markkanen averaged 24.5 points and 11 rebounds with a nice 48% from 3-point range. Most Improved Player last season, the Finn had never won this award.
In the East, the NBA has opted for Bam Adebayo, and this is only the second time that he has won this trophy. With the Heat, the All-Star center won three out of four games, and he averaged 23 points, 11 rebounds and 5.8 assists per game.