The Cleveland Cavaliers’ LeBron James and the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Russell Westbrook today were named NBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week, respectively, for games played Tuesday, Oct. 25 through Sunday, Oct. 30.

James helped the Cavaliers to a 3-0 week behind averages of 21.0 points, 10.0 assists (third in the East) and 8.3 rebounds. He opened the season on Oct. 25 with a triple-double, recording 19 points, 14 assists and 11 rebounds in a 117-88 victory over the New York Knicks. On Oct. 28, in a rematch of the 2016 Eastern Conference Finals against the Toronto Raptors, James tallied 21 points, eight rebounds and seven assists in a 94-91 win.

Westbrook led the Thunder to a 3-0 week behind a league-leading 38.7 points and 11.7 assists to go with 12.3 rebounds (tied for fourth in the West). On Oct. 28, he posted 51 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists in a 113-110 overtime victory over the Phoenix Suns – the NBA’s first triple-double with 50 points since Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in 1975. He added another triple-double on Oct. 30, finishing with 33 points, 16 assists and 12 rebounds in a 113-96 win over the Los Angeles Lakers. Westbrook is the first player to record two triple-doubles in the first three games of the season since Magic Johnson in the 1982-83 season. He is also the first player in NBA history to tally at least 100 points, 30 rebounds and 30 assists through his team’s first three games.

Steven Adams and the Oklahoma City Thunder have agreed upon a four-year, $100 million contract extension.

Adams will avoid restricted free agency in the 2017 offseason.

In two games this season, Adams is averaging 12.5 points and 7.5 rebounds.

Adams was the 12th overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft out of Pittsburgh with a pick acquired out of the James Harden trade.

“We are excited to extend our partnership with Steven and Victor,” said Sam Presti “Both players represent the Thunder’s present and future, exhibiting the values that the Oklahoma community and our organization hold in high regard: hard work, team first, resiliency and citizenship.”   

Victor Oladipo and the Oklahoma City Thunder have agreed upon a four-year $84 million extension. 

The Thunder acquired Oladipo in a draft night trade from the Magic for Serge Ibaka. 

Oladipo was the second overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft. 

The Oklahoma City Thunder are engaged with Steven Adams and Victor Oladipo on contract extensions.

Adams and the Thunder are holding talks on a $100 million deal. Adams has emerged over the past year as one of the NBA's best young bigs.

Oladipo and the Thunder are in talks on a deal in the $80 million range. The Thunder acquired Oladipo in a trade with the Orlando Magic on draft night.

The Thunder have Russell Westbrook and Enes Kanter on multi-year deals.

The Oklahoma City Thunder exercised its third-year options on forward Josh Huestis and guard Cameron Payne.

During the 2015-16 season, Huestis appeared in five games for the Thunder, averaging 2.8 points and 2.0 rebounds in 11.0 minutes per game. Originally drafted by Oklahoma City with the 29th overall selection in the 2014 NBA Draft, the Stanford product spent the 2014-15 season with the Oklahoma City Blue, averaging 10.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.57 blocks in 33.1 minutes per game.

Payne, the 14th overall selection in the 2015 NBA Draft, averaged 5.0 points, 1.9 assists and 1.5 rebounds in 57 games (one start) during his rookie season. In two seasons at Murray State, the Memphis native averaged 18.5 points, 5.7 assists 3.7 rebounds and 1.8 steals in 32.4 minutes per contest.

Russell Westbrook recorded the third-highest point total ever in a triple double in Oklahoma City's 113-110 win in overtime over the Phoenix Suns.

Westbrook finished with 51 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists.

Westbrook scored 39 of his 51 points in the second half and overtime, including 23 in the third quarter. 

Westbrook didn't seem too impressed by his own accomplishment.

"[I'm] hungry, I'll tell you that much," he said.

"You've got to want to win," Westbrook said of taking on that level of workload. "It's pretty simple. If you want to win, you don't think about being tired. Being tired is a mind thing. It's in your mind. You've got to go out and compete at a high level and leave it on the floor."

Russell Westbrook was asked if he's noticed a difference in how he's perceived since the departure of Kevin Durant. When the two played together, Westbrook was often blamed for some of their shortcomings.

“A little bit,” Westbrook told The Vertical. “But at the same time, I’ve got to keep the same way, because I’ve been on the other side. I’m definitely appreciative of all the support and I’m definitely thankful for that, and every night I just go out and play the same way.”

Westbrook was asked if he ever felt like responding to the criticism.

“The only time I felt like lashing out was with something that disrespected my family, or my mom, my dad. Anything of that nature. But for me, I can handle anything,” Westbrook told The Vertical. “Honestly, I stay even-keel throughout the good stuff, the bad stuff, because I always pay attention to my family and people that’s important to me. People I stand by. I like to have fun and enjoy the game and I just go out and play. Criticism for me goes in one ear and out the other.”

Westbrook has become a better leader recently.

“The most important part is always caring about how they’re feeling, how they’re doing, and how you can impact them and make them better,” Westbrook said. “I think a part of my job is being able to make my teammates better, but not just that, but make them feel confident in their game and how they’re doing.”

Kevin Durant sent a text to former Oklahoma City assistant coach Rex Kalamian, who has spent the past few seasons with the Toronto Raptors. Durant praised the bond that exists between Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan, who were his teammates with Team USA in the 2016 Olympics.

“Your two guys are the best. I’m jealous of their relationship, the way they get along with each other and the way they play together. The way they enjoy each other, it’s great,” Kalamian said of that text.

“I think it’s kind of what he wants,” Kalamian continued. “He wants that bond with someone . . . and I think he’s going to find that.

“Early on in OKC, we had that.”

Kalamian said the trade of James Harden in 2012 after the Thunder had reached The Finals went beyond basketball.

“We had that (bond) really with James Harden. He was a connector of everyone. He brought Westbrook, Durant and (Serge) Ibaka and they all kind of connected, they all came together,” Kalamian said.

“James is a big reason and when he left I think Kevin said . . . that trade was the beginning of the end for him and now there wasn’t that connection as much.

“Kevin and Russell, they respect the heck out of each other, no question about it. They played well together, they work well together, they communicate, but I think the connection was lost a little bit for whatever reason.”

The Oklahoma City Thunder will waive Mitch McGary and Ronnie Price to keep Semaj Christon on their final roster.

McGary is due $1.526 million for this season while Price had guaranteed deals worth $2.557 million this season and $2.442 million for 17-18.

McGary received a five-game suspension and a 10-game suspension for the 16-17 season due to drug violations.

Christon averaged 7.0 points, 1.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 18.6 minutes per game in the preseason.

The Thunder had just signed Christon to a two-year deal in August.

The Oklahoma City Thunder have waived Reggie Williams.

Williams, who was originally signed by the club on Oct. 18th, did not appear in a game this preseason.

Williams last played in the NBA in 14-15 with the Spurs.