NBA Monthly Awards: Jayson Tatum and Victor Wembanyama win awards for October and November.
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NBA Monthly Awards: Jayson Tatum and Victor Wembanyama win awards for October and November.

Posted on by Amelia Pressman

Victor Wembanyama is the first recipient of the new Kia Western Defensive Player of the Month award.

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Defensive Player of the Month

San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama and Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels have been named the Kia NBA Defensive Players of the Month for games in October and November, becoming the first recipients of the new award.

Western Conference: In 16 games early in the season, Wembanyama led the league with 3.56 bpg and 57 total blocks while averaging 1.31 bpg in October and November. He also accounted for 45.9% of all Spurs blocks.

The sophomore’s defensive rating of 103.8 contributed to the Spurs’ eighth-ranked defense and ranked them among the league’s top three shot-blocking teams. Under Wembanyama’s leadership, the Spurs recorded five or more steals in every game this season, their second-longest streak to start a season in the last 30 years and ranked third-best in the NBA this season.

Eastern Conference: In October and November, Daniels recorded the most steals and blocks (75 total) in the Eastern Conference and the second-most in the NBA, behind only Wembanyama.

He is the first player since Michael Jordan in 1988 to record at least 57 steals and 18 blocks in the first 19 games of a season. From November 8 to November 15, Daniels recorded six or more steals in four straight games, the second-longest such streak in the NBA since at least the 1973–74 season and the longest since former NBA Defensive Player of the Year Alvin Robertson in 1986.

Player of the Month

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum were named Kia NBA Players of the Month for games in October and November.

Western Conference: Gilgeous-Alexander receives the second Player of the Month award of his career. In October and November, Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 29.8 points on 50.3% shooting, 6.6 apg, 5.3 rpg, 1.68 spg and 1.11 bpg in 34.5 minutes per game.

He 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 in the first 20 games of a season , 1.50 steals and 1.00 blocks.

Eastern Conference: Tatum receives his fifth career monthly award, the second-most Player of the Month honors in Celtics history, behind only Larry Bird (7). In October and November, Tatum led the Celtics to a 16-3 record, highlighted by his game-winning shot in overtime against Toronto that secured a 126-123 victory on November 16.

He scored the third-most points in the East with 546 points and ranked first in clutch points (46), first in clutch assists (12) and third in total three-pointers made (76 ).

The five-time All-Star is on pace to become only the second player in NBA history to lead his team in points, rebounds, assists, steals and 3-point field goals in multiple seasons.

Rookies of the Month

Philadelphia 76ers guard Jared McCain and Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaylen Wells were named Kia NBA Rookies of the Month for games in October and November.

Western Conference: In October and November, Wells ranked second in scoring (12.2 points per game) and averaged 3.3 RPG and 1.9 APG while shooting 45.4% overall and 39 on 3-pointers .4% shot.

He scored a season-high 26 points (on 10-for-14) in a 142-131 win against the Chicago Bulls on November 23. During that two-month period, Wells scored 10 or more points in 10 of 18 games he played and scored 15 or more points seven times.

Eastern Conference: McCain is the first 76ers player to earn the Rookie of the Month award since Ben Simmons in March 2018. In 18 appearances in October and November, McCain led all rookies with 16 ppg. Him too leads all rookies with seven games with at least 20 points and two games with more than 30 points, including a career-high 34 points against Cleveland on Nov. 13.

McCain’s 38 3-pointers in his first 15 games were the most by a rookie in franchise history, surpassing Iverson’s record of 36 set in 1996.

Coach of the Month

Houston Rockets coach Ime Udoka and Cleveland Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson were named NBA Coaches of the Month for games in October and November.

Western Conference: In October and November, Idoka led the Rockets to a 14-6 record. Houston is currently No. 2 in the Western Conference standings. This is Houston’s best start to the season since going 17-4 in 2017-18.

Eastern Conference: Atkinson receives the Coach of the Month award for the first time in his career. Atkinson led the Cavs to their franchise-best 15-0 start from October 23 to November 17, surpassing the previous mark of 8-0 to start the season in 1976-77.

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