NEW YORK, March 26, 2012 – The Atlanta Hawks’ Joe Johnson and the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Kevin Durant today were named the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week, respectively, for games played Monday, March 19, through Sunday, March 25.

Johnson led the Hawks to a 4-1 week with averages of 23.2 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.2 assists. Johnson hit game-tying three-pointers vs. Cleveland on March 21 and Utah on March 25, as well as the game-winning three-pointer at Washington on March 24. Johnson’s 37-point, eight-rebound effort keyed a 139-133 quadruple overtime win over the Jazz on March 25.

Durant’s 29.5 ppg ranked second in the league (Kevin Love, 33.5), his 10.3 rpg ranked ninth, and his 2.0 spg tied for fifth best in the Western Conference as he helped the Thunder to a 3-1 week. Durant, the league’s second leading scorer for the season at 27.9 points (Kobe Bryant, 28.3) tallied 40 points and a season-high 17 rebounds on March 25 in a 103-87 win over the Heat.

Here is a recap of the week for Johnson and Durant:

Joe Johnson, Atlanta Hawks

March 21 vs. Cleveland: Posted 22 points, six rebounds and five assists in a 103-102 overtime win over the Cavaliers.

March 24 @ Washington: Tallied 16 points, five rebounds and three assists in a 95-92 win over the Wizards.

March 25 vs. Utah: Poured in 37 points and added eight rebounds as the Hawks bested the Jazz 139-133 in quadruple overtime.

Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder

March 21 vs. L.A. Clippers: Scored 32 points and added nine rebounds, five assists and two steals in a 114-91 win over the Clippers.

March 23 vs. Minnesota: Posted 40 points, a season-high 17 rebounds, five assists and three steals in a 149-120 double overtime win over the Timberwolves.

March 25 vs. Miami: Tallied 28 points, nine rebounds and eight assists in a 103-87 win over the Heat.

Other nominees for the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week were Atlanta’s Josh Smith, Houston’s Goran Dragic, Miami’s Dwyane Wade, Minnesota’s Kevin Love, New York’s Amar’e Stoudemire, Orlando’s Ryan Anderson and Utah’s Al Jefferson.