Vucevic lauded by league for weekly performance
Magic center Nikola Vucevic was named the Eastern Conference Player of the Week on Monday for the period ending Nov. 17.
Vucevic averaged 21.7 points, 14.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.33 blocks per game to help the Magic go 3-0 in home games against the 76ers, Spurs and Wizards.
He posted season-highs for points (30) and rebounds (17) during Sunday’s 125-121 victory over the Wizards that extended the Magic’s winning streak to three.
In fact, Vucevic’s 30-point, 17-rebound, 6-assist game against the Wizards marked the fourth time in his Magic career that he recorded at least 30 points, 15 rebounds and five assists in a game — the most in franchise history. Vucevic had been tied with Shaquille O’Neal before Sunday’s performance.
In addition to his stellar stat line, Vucevic also posted his best shooting performance of the season as he went 11-of-14 from the field (78.6%). Those numbers included a 3-of-4 effort from the 3-point line. The three 3-pointers were a season-high.
Sunday’s game also marked Vucevic’s seventh straight double-double and his 10th overall on the season. He was third in the NBA last season with 60 double-doubles.
Rockets guard James Harden, the NBA’s leading scorer, was named the Western Conference Player of the Week.
Harden posted games of 37, 47, 44 and 49 points as the Rockets beat the Pelicans, Clippers, Pacers and
Timberwolves. Harden, who was named the West’s Player of the Week last week, averaged 44.8 points, 5.8 rebounds and 6.8 assists per game. He also averaged 16.0 fourth-quarter points on 58.6% shooting for the week.
The Magic’s longest-tenured player in his eighth season with Orlando, the 7-foot Vucevic now has earned Eastern Conference Player of the Week honors for the third time in his career.
The others were for the periods ending March 30, 2014, and Nov. 18, 2018. Last season’s honor was part of a memorable year for Vucevic, who averaged a careerhigh 20.8 points and 12.0 rebounds and was a first-time NBA All-Star selection.
For the season, Vucevic is averaging 18.2 points, 12.1 rebounds and 3.4 assists and 1.1 blocks per game. He leads the team in scoring and rebounding. Vucevic and the Magic are coming off a 4-1 homestand that saw them beat the Grizzlies, 76ers, Spurs and Wizards.
Orlando will begin a four-game road trip on Wednesday at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. The game tips off at 7:30 p.m. and can be seen on Fox Sports Florida as the Magic seek their first road win of the season (0-4).
The Raptors beat the Magic 104-95 when the teams met for the first time this season on Oct. 28 in Toronto.
The Magic will then travel to Indiana, Detroit and Cleveland to close out the road trip before returning home to face the Raptors on Nov. 29. The Magic will wear their new City Edition uniforms that night.