Josh Richardson named NBA’s Eastern Conference Player of the Week

After stepping up in a major way, Josh Richardson joins DeMar DeRozan as one of the NBA’s Players of the Week for Week 12.

After helping the Sixers to victories over the Oklahoma City Thunder and Boston Celtics last week, on Monday, the NBA announced that Philadelphia 76er Josh Richardson was named as its Eastern Conference Player of the Week for Week 12.

Richardson, who averaged 22.7 points, 2.3 rebounds and 3.7 assists per contest joined DeMar DeRozan of the San Antonio Spurs, who was selected as the Player of the Week for the Western Conference.

With Joel Embiid suffering a fairly gruesome finger injury against Oklahoma City back on January 6, things were looking down for Philadelphia. However, thus far in the games that Embiid has missed, Richardson has been one of the Sixers to step up.

After turning in 23 points against the Thunder, Richardson followed it up with a 29-point effort in the Sixers’ 109-98 victory over the Celtics on Thursday night.

With Embiid expected to return to the lineup soon, Richardson’s shot opportunities and repetitions may decrease in the near future, however, he has received recognition for his impactful play in the absence of the Sixers’ top gun.