Al Horford earns Player of the Week honor for Eastern Conference

Its been a long road back from injury for Al Horford but the Hawks center is getting closer to 100 percent and was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week. Horford averaged 18.3 points, 6.7 rebounds and 5.0 assists while shooting over 60 percent from the field. His contributions helped the Hawks go 3-0 last week with wins over the Bulls, Cavaliers and Rockets.

Horford: "I'm honored but more happy for our team the way we have been playing. I look forward for us to keep getting better." #ATLHawks

— Chris Vivlamore (@CVivlamoreAJC) December 22, 2014

Horford is averaging 14.2 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game this season. He has played in all 26 games this season and is knocking down 55 percent of his shot attempts. His return from last season's pectoral injury has also been a huge part of Atlanta's improvement on the defensive end of the floor. The Hawks enter play on Monday ranked seventh in defensive efficiency and are leading the NBA over the last 13 games.