Point guards Steve Nash of the Phoenix Suns and Gilbert Arenas of the Washington Wizards were named NBA Players of the Week for the period ending Sunday.

Nash received Western Conference honors as he averaged 20.4 points and 11.6 assists in leading the Suns to a 4-0 record that extended their winning streak to 10 games. He shot 57 percent, including 10-of-17 from the arc.

Nash handed out a league season-high 20 assists vs. Sacramento on Tuesday and had a career-high 42 points and 13 assists in Thursday's 161-157 double-overtime win at New Jersey.

Arenas received the Eastern Conference award after averaging 37.3 points and leading the Wizards to a 3-1 record. He shot 51.5 percent from the field - including 18-of-37 from 3-point range - and also averaged 5.5 assists and 2.0 steals.

Arenas scored 41 points in Saturday's 114-109 loss to Houston, his league-leading fourth 40-point game of the season.

Others nominated were Cleveland's LeBron James, Detroit's Chauncey Billups, New Jersey's Jason Kidd, New York's Eddy Curry, Orlando's Dwight Howard, Houston's Tracy McGrady and Seattle's Rashard Lewis.

(CRI via Sports Ticker December 12, 2006)