NBA Players of the Week: Pascal Siakam and CJ McCollum

NBA.com Staff

NBA Players of the Week: Pascal Siakam and CJ McCollum image

Pascal Siakam and CJ McCollum were named Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week on Monday.

2018-19 Players of the Week
  Western Eastern
Week 1 Nikola Jokic Kemba Walker
Week 2 Stephen Curry Giannis Antetokounmpo
Week 3 Russell Westbrook Victor Oladipo
Week 4 CJ McCollum Pascal Siakam

Pascal Siakam

In his first year as a full-time starter, the continual development and improvement in Pascal Siakam's game have been key factors in the Raptors' 12-1 start to the season. The third-year forward is averaging 13.3 points, 6.7 rebounds and 2.1 assists while playing just under 28 minutes per game.

Last week, Siakam averaged 20.0 points on 72.4 percent shooting from the field and 4.3 rebounds over three games to help lead the Raptors to a perfect 3-0 record with wins over the Jazz, Kings and Knicks. While the stats are impressive, much of Siakam's impact are the things that are not measured on the stat sheet – his ability to push the ball in transition and make the correct play has unlocked a new dimension in the Raptors offence, making things increasingly difficult for opposing defences.

Saturday, Siakam efficiently scored a career-high 23 points by shooting 6-for-7 from the field, 3-for-4 shooting from deep and 8-for-9 from the charity stripe as Toronto cruised to a 16-point win over New York. 


 

The Raptors are back in action four times this week when they host the Pelicans and Pistons before travelling to face the Celtics and Bulls.

CJ McCollum

McCollum made headlines this week with his 40-point, six-assist, four steal performance in a Trail Blazers win over the Bucks on Tuesday. The Blazers guard scored 19 points in the third quarter and finished the night having shot 17-for-26 from the field and 5-for-10 from deep as his team handed the Bucks their second loss of the season.


 

Could this be the McCollum appears in his first All-Star game? He's certainly looked the part thus far. 

Last week, the 2016 Most Improved Player averaged 25.7 points and 4.3 rebounds while shooting over 50 percent from the field as Portland went 3-0 with wins over Milwaukee, the LA Clippers and Boston. For the season, McCollum is averaging 20.5 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game while shooting 45.1 percent from the field and 35.0 percent from deep.

The Blazers begin a six-game road trip this week when they visit the Lakers on Wednesday before heading to Minnesota to take on the Timberwolves Friday. Portland closes the week in Washington, where it will look to avenge an overtime loss from earlier in the season.

NBA.com Staff

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