MILWAUKEE -- Bucks guard Monta Ellis has been named the NBA's Eastern Conference Player of the Week, the league announced Monday.
Leading the Bucks to three wins, Ellis averaged 24.0 points, 9.0 assists and 5.0 steals per game, including hitting a 3-pointer at the buzzer to beat Houston on Wednesday. Against Dallas on Tuesday, Ellis scored 22 points, dished out nine assists and had six steals in a 95-90 victory. The next night, he had 27 points, 13 assists and six steals against the Rockets.
Saturday against Toronto, the 27-year-old scored 23 points with five assists, five rebounds and three steals in a 122-114 overtime victory.
It's the second player of the week this season for Ellis, and the fourth of his career. He also received the honor for the week of Dec. 24-30 of this season and in 2010 and 2012 with Golden State.
The Bucks have had four players honored as the player of the week in 2012-13, with only Miami and Oklahoma City having more. Ellis and backcourt mate Brandon Jennings have each been player of the week twice this season.
Jefferson out: The Bucks will catch a bit of a break Monday against Utah, as the Jazz will be without the services of leading scorer and rebounder center Al Jefferson.
The team announced following Monday's shoot-around that Jefferson will miss his second consecutive game with a sprained left ankle. Also with a sprained left ankle, power forward and second-leading scorer Paul Millsap will be a game-time decision.
Reserve guard Jamaal Tinsley has been excused from the team to tend to a family matter and won't be available against the Bucks, either. Former Bucks guard Mo Williams continues to be out for Utah after undergoing surgery to repair a torn ligament in his right thumb in December.
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