New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson and Memphis Grizzlies forward-center Jaren Jackson Jr. have been selected as the NBA Players of the Week for Week 9 of the 2025-26 season. Brunson led the Eastern Conference with strong scoring and playmaking, while Jackson anchored the West with efficient defense and rebounding. The honors recognize their performances from December 15 to 21.
The NBA announced its Players of the Week for Week 9 on December 22, 2025, highlighting standout contributions from Jalen Brunson in the East and Jaren Jackson Jr. in the West.
Brunson, a guard for the New York Knicks, averaged 31.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 8.0 assists per game during the week. His leadership has been pivotal for the Knicks, as noted in a team post: "a leader in new york. a leader in the nba." This marks Brunson's second such honor this season, following his Week 6 recognition.
In the Western Conference, Jackson earned his second career Player of the Week award, the first coming in January 2025. He averaged 27.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 2.7 blocks in 32.7 minutes per game, helping the Grizzlies to a 2-1 record. Jackson's week included a season-high 31 points against the Los Angeles Clippers on December 15, 28 points versus the Minnesota Timberwolves, and 22 points in a loss to the Washington Wizards on December 20, where he fouled out.
The Grizzlies celebrated the achievement with a post stating: "@jarenjacksonjr is the Western Conference Player of the Week." Jackson joins a select group of Memphis players with multiple honors, including Zach Randolph (four), Ja Morant (three), and the Gasol brothers (two each).
These awards come amid a competitive season, with past winners including Luka Dončić, Nikola Jokić, and Giannis Antetokounmpo in earlier weeks. The recognition underscores Brunson and Jackson's impact on their teams' performances.
