NBA announces first week awards: Wembanyama and Antetokounmpo set records as winners; Doncic and Alexander with 40+ points miss out

On October 28th Beijing time, the NBA announced the first week’s players of the week for the new season. Spurs center Wembanyama took home the Western Conference Player of the Week award, and Bucks forward Antetokounmpo secured the Eastern Conference Player of the Week title. This is Wembanyama’s second career weekly honor, while Antetokounmpo has now earned this distinction 28 times. The competition for the first week’s award was fierce, with Doncic and Alexander averaging over 40 points but still missing out.

Wembanyama: Western Conference Player of the Week

Wembanyama delivered a stunning performance in the season’s opening week, leading the Spurs to an undefeated 3-0 record. During this period, he averaged 33.3 points, 13.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists (with only 0.7 turnovers), 1.7 steals, and 6.0 blocks per game. His shooting percentages were 56.9% from the field, 36.4% from three-point range, and 73.3% from the free-throw line. He became the first player in NBA history to score at least 100 points and record 15 blocks in the first three games of a season.

In the game against the Mavericks, Wembanyama scored 40 points, grabbed 15 rebounds, and blocked 3 shots; against the Pelicans, he posted 29 points, 11 rebounds, and 9 blocks; versus the Nets, he recorded 31 points, 14 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, and 6 blocks. Analysts are already discussing Wembanyama as a strong candidate to win both MVP and Defensive Player of the Year this season.

Antetokounmpo: Eastern Conference Player of the Week

Last week, Antetokounmpo led the Milwaukee Bucks to a 2-1 record while delivering dominant stats. He averaged 36.0 points, 16.0 rebounds, 7.0 assists, and 1.0 blocks per game, with shooting percentages of 68.3%, 66.7%, and 62.9% respectively. Antetokounmpo became the first player in NBA history to accumulate at least 100 points, 40 rebounds, and 15 assists in the first three games of a season.

In the matchup against the Wizards, Antetokounmpo scored 37 points, grabbed 14 rebounds, and dished out 5 assists; versus the Raptors, he posted 31 points, 20 rebounds, and 7 assists; against the Cavaliers, he recorded 40 points, 14 rebounds, and 9 assists.

Other players nominated for Player of the Week in East and West

West: Curry, Doncic, Reeves, Alexander

East: Ball, Brunson, Achiuwa, Maxey, Mitchell, Norman Powell