By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Another European star in the hunt for MVP accolades can be standing up in the form of Lithuanian Domantas Sabonis.
Further building his case, he was named Western Conference Player of the Week for the second week in a row, NBA announced Monday. He averaged 22.8 points, 16.0 rebounds, and 10.0 assists per contest in a 3-1 week for the Sacramento Kings.
Paired with the Lithuanian big for a second straight week coming out of the All-Star break, Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers received the Player of the Week nod for the Eastern Conference for the 22nd week of the 2022-23 Regular Season. He had 35.0 points, 12.7 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 3.3 blocks per game.
Among the players narrowly missing the cut was Giannis Antetokounmpo behind his latest dominating displays with the Milwaukee Bucks. Sabonis’ teammate De’Aaron Fox was also listed in other nominees alongside Jimmy Butler, DeMar DeRozan, Jalen Green, Jaren Jackson Jr., Evan Mobley, and Austin Reaves.
List of 2022-23 NBA Players of the Week
| WEEK | EASTERN CONFERENCE | WESTERN CONFERENCE |
| 1 | Jayson Tatum | Damian Lillard |
| 2 | Giannis Antetokounmpo | Shai Gilgeous-Alexander |
| 3 | Kevin Durant | Paul George |
| 4 | Joel Embiid | Stephen Curry |
| 5 | Tyrese Haliburton | De’Aaron Fox |
| 6 | Giannis Antetokounmpo (2) | Deandre Ayton |
| 7 | Kevin Durant (2) | Anthony Davis |
| 8 | Joel Embiid (2) | Zion Williamson |
| 9 | Donovan Mitchell | Nikola Jokic |
| 10 | Pascal Siakam | Luka Doncic |
| 11 | Kristaps Porzingis | Luka Doncic (2) |
| 12 | Donovan Mitchell | LeBron James |
| 13 | Jalen Brunson | Domantas Sabonis |
| 14 | Jrue Holiday | LeBron James (2) |
| 15 | Giannis Antetokounmpo (3) | Damian Lillard (2) |
| 16 | Giannis Antetokounmpo (4) | Damian Lillard (3) |
| 17 | Derrick White | Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) |
| 18 | Julius Randle | Devin Booker |
| 19 | All-Star Game | |
| 20 | ||
| 21 | Joel Embiid (3) | Domantas Sabonis (2) |
| 22 | Joel Embiid (4) | Domantas Sabonis (3) |
Photo Credit: Getty Images