Luka Dončić and Jalen Brunson, once teammates in Dallas, now find themselves headlining the NBA’s weekly honors - each named Player of the Week for their respective conferences for games played from November 24 through November 30.
Let’s start out West, where Dončić put the league on notice with a dominant stretch that helped the Lakers go a perfect 3-0. His numbers?
Vintage Luka. He averaged 37.3 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 10.3 assists per game - a triple-double threat every night.
The Lakers picked up wins over the Clippers, Mavericks, and Pelicans, with Dončić orchestrating the offense like a maestro. His shot-making, vision, and control of the pace were on full display, especially in the win over his former team, the Mavericks.
That matchup carried a little extra juice, and Dončić didn’t disappoint.
Meanwhile, in the East, Jalen Brunson continues to prove he’s more than capable of leading the Knicks - and this past week was a statement. New York went 4-0, notching wins over the Nets, Hornets, Bucks, and Raptors.
Brunson averaged 28.8 points and 4.5 assists, shooting over 40% from beyond the arc. He’s not just scoring - he’s doing it efficiently and in big moments.
Whether it was slicing through defenses or knocking down timely threes, Brunson was the engine behind the Knicks’ unbeaten week.
This is the first time either player has earned Player of the Week honors this season, with Nikola Jokić being the only player to win it twice so far. But what makes this moment even more compelling is the shared history between Dončić and Brunson.
Once a rising backcourt duo in Dallas, their partnership was cut short when the Mavericks opted not to match Brunson’s offer from the Knicks. That decision continues to loom large, especially with both players now thriving as the focal points of their new teams.
Dončić’s move to Los Angeles, in a blockbuster deal that sent Anthony Davis to Dallas, reshaped the Western Conference landscape. And now, with both players leading playoff-caliber squads, their paths continue to cross - this time from opposite coasts, both playing the best basketball of their careers.
Looking ahead, the Knicks will try to keep their momentum rolling when they face the Celtics on Tuesday night in a marquee Eastern Conference showdown. The Lakers, meanwhile, get a bit more rest before returning to action on Thursday against the Raptors.
Two former teammates. Two conference leaders.
One shared spotlight. And if this past week is any indication, Luka Dončić and Jalen Brunson are just getting started.