Cousins, Batum named Conference Players of the Week

Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins and Charlotte Hornets swingman Nicolas Batum were respectively named the NBA's Western and Eastern Conference Players of the week, the league announced Monday.

Cousins has been on a tear since returning from a four-game absence due to a sore Achilles, averaging 32.5 points and 11 rebounds in four contests last week. The big man has found a 3-point stroke as well, going 9-of-19 from beyond the arc in that span.

Batum averaged 25.5 points, six rebounds, and three assists in four games last week, helping the Hornets to a 3-1 record. He shot 57.7 percent from deep (15-of-26) during the stretch.

On Friday, he scored 28 points on season-high 58.8 percent shooting after locating his sister, who lives near one of the sites attacked in Paris that day, by phone.

"I wanted to do a good game to show them in my way, we're strong," the French native said.