Tue Jan 20 03:50:00 UTC 2026: ### Gilgeous-Alexander and Adebayo Earn NBA Player of the Week Honors for Week 13
The Story:
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Bam Adebayo of the Miami Heat have been named NBA Players of the Week for Week 13 of the 2025-26 season. This marks a significant achievement for both players, reflecting their outstanding performances as the season surpasses its midpoint. The announcement, made on January 19, 2026, highlights their leadership and contributions to their respective teams’ success.
Key Points:
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander won Western Conference Player of the Week.
- Bam Adebayo won Eastern Conference Player of the Week.
- It is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s first time leading since November.
- Week 14 includes a 9-game slate on MLK day through AWS Rivals week.
- The announcement was made on January 19, 2026.
Critical Analysis
This event highlights the individual brilliance of Gilgeous-Alexander and Adebayo, it occurs amidst broader narratives for both players and their teams. For Gilgeous-Alexander, this comes as he makes a case for teammate Chet Holmgren as an all-star. For Adebayo, this comes after being criticized for his recent performance and after defeating Gilgeous-Alexander’s team in a close match.
Key Takeaways:
- Individual player accolades like Player of the Week awards are important for team morale and public perception.
- These awards can influence the perception of individual players when end of year awards approach.
- Adebayo’s resurgence after recent criticism underscores the volatile nature of performance analysis in professional sports.
- The timing of these awards, nearing the All-Star break, adds significance as players aim to bolster their All-Star credentials.
First Piper 