NEW YORK, March 11 (UPI) -- Centers Kurt Thomas of the New York Knicks and Shaquille O'Neal of the Los Angeles Lakers were named NBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week on Monday.
Thomas led the Knicks to a 2-2 record while recording four double-doubles. He averaged 21.0 points and 13.8 rebounds per game.
The highlight of Thomas' week came in Tuesday's 102-89 win over the Milwaukee Bucks when he recorded his first 20-20 game. He tied a career high with 29 points and set a personal best with 20 rebounds.
O'Neal averaged 36.0 points, 10.7 rebounds and 2.3 blocks in a 2-1 week for the Lakers. He had 40 points in a 101-92 win over the New Jersey Nets on Tuesday and matched that total in a 117-103 victory over the Knicks on Sunday.
Other Eastern Conference candidates were Boston's Antoine Walker, Indiana'a Jermaine O'Neal, Miami's Eddie Jones, Orlando's Tracy McGrady and Philadelphia's Allen Iverson.
Also considered in the Western Conference were Dallas' Dirk Nowitzki, Houston's Cuttino Mobley, Phoenix's Shawn Marion, San Antonio's Tim Duncan and Seattle's Gary Payton.
