Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum and Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander have been named the NBA Players of the Month for October and November, Afrosport reports.
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum have been named the Kia NBA Western and Eastern Conference Players of the Month, respectively, for games played in October/November. pic.twitter.com/MMPFiznN17
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) December 3, 2024
Tatum wins the Eastern Conference Player of the Month award, the fifth of his career, to move into second place in the Celtics history, trailing only Hall of Famer Larry Bird (7).
The five-time All-Star led Boston to a 16-3 record in October and November combined, scoring the third-most points in the East (546) during the period under review, ranking first in clutch points (46) and third in total three-pointers made (76).
Tatum, who won the Eastern Conference Player of Week 1, could become just the second player in NBA history to lead their team in points, rebounds, assists, steals, and 3-point field goals in multiple seasons.
In the West, Gilgeous-Alexander clinched the Player of the Month award for the second time in his career, averaging 29.8 points, 6.6 assists, 5.3 rebounds, 1.68 steals, and 1.11 blocks in 34.5 minutes per game while shooting 50.3% from the field.
The two-time All-Star recently joined Giannis Antetokounmpo, Michael Jordan, and Larry Bird as the only players in NBA history to average at least 29.0 points on 50% shooting, 5.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.50 steals, and 1.00 blocks through the first 20 games of a season.
Meanwhile, San Antonio Spurs centre Victor Wembanyama and Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels have picked up the first-ever Western and Eastern Conference Defensive Player of the Month awards, respectively.
San Antonio Spurs forward-center Victor Wembanyama and Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels have been named the Kia NBA Western and Eastern Conference Defensive Players of the Month, respectively, for games played in October/November, becoming the first recipients of the new award. pic.twitter.com/tDMp2T6wny
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) December 3, 2024
Wembanyama had 57 total blocks and led the league with 3.56 blocks per game in the opening 16 games of the season, averaging 1.31 steals per game in October and November.
Daniels, however, recorded a combined 75 blocks and steals in the month under review, the most in the East and the second-most in the NBA, behind only Wembanyama.
The 21-year-old became the first player since Michael Jordan in 1988 to record at least 57 steals and 18 blocks within the first 19 games of a season.
The Rookie of the Month awards for games played in October and November went to Philadelphia 76ers guard Jared McCain (East) and Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaylen Wells (West).
Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaylen Wells and Philadelphia 76ers guard Jared McCain have been named the Kia NBA Western and Eastern Conference Rookies of the Month, respectively, for games played in October/November. pic.twitter.com/VEcHG9n3QK
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) December 3, 2024
McCain is the first 76ers player since Ben Simmons in March 2018 to win the award, having led all rookies with 16 points per game in 18 appearances in October and November.
Wells, on the other hand, trailed only McCain in scoring with 12.2 points per game and averaged 3.3 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game while shooting 45.4% on the floor and 39.4% on 3-pointers.
Houston Rockets coach Ime Udoka and Cleveland Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson picked up the Coach of the Month awards for the West and East, respectively.
Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka and Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson have been named the NBA Western and Eastern Conference Coaches of the Month, respectively, for games played in October/November. pic.twitter.com/UcIctHIq3x
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) December 3, 2024
Udoka led the Rockets to a 14-6 record in October and November, and they currently sit second in the Western Conference standings, their best start to a season since 2017-18.
Atkinson, meanwhile, earns the first such award of his career, having led the Cavs to a franchise-best 15-0 start.
