HOUSTON, March 25 (Xinhua) -- Rockets shooting guard James Harden was named Monday by the NBA as Western Conference Player of the Week for games played Monday, Mar. 18 through Sunday, Mar. 24.

It marks Harden's third such honor this season after winning West Player of the Week for games played Oct. 30-Nov. 4 and Dec. 31-Jan. 6, according to a news release from the Rockets on Monday.

Harden joins Tracy McGrady and Hakeem Olajuwon as the only Rockets to ever capture Player of the Week honors three or more times in one season.

Harden led Houston to a 3-0 week. He averaged 26.0 points and shot a 39-of-44 from the free throw line.

Harden culminated his week by hitting the game-winning shot with 4.5 seconds left to lift the Rockets to a 96-95 win over the Western Conference leading San Antonio Spurs Sunday night.