Timberwolves center Nikola Pekovic was named the Western Conference player of the week for games played April 1-7.

It is a career first for Pekovic, who becomes the Wolves' first player of the week since Al Jefferson got the honor Jan. 5, 2009.

Pekovic averaged 25.0 points on 58.9 percent shooting and 8.5 rebounds per game as the Wolves went 3-1 with victories over Boston, Milwaukee and Detroit. He led the team in scoring in all four games, scoring at least 20 in each game.

For the season Pekovic is averaging career highs in scoring (16.4), rebounding (8.9), assists (0.9), steals (0.7), blocks (0.8) and minutes (31.8). He has 26 double-doubles and 11 games with at least 20 points and 10 rebounds. He has also gotten an offensive rebound in 72 straight games, the second-longest active streak in the NBA behind Kevin Love (75).