The Cleveland Cavaliers’ LeBron James and the Houston Rockets’ James Harden today were named the Kia NBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Month, respectively, for games played in April.
James, who captured his third consecutive monthly honor, led the Eastern Conference in scoring (28.8 ppg) while shooting 65.6 percent from the field (second in the East), including a conference-best 56.3 percent (9-for-16) from three-point range. He added 8.4 rebounds and 7.8 assists (third in the East) in a conference-high 36.9 minutes. James scored at least 30 points in three of his five games, including a 34-point performance against the Hawks on April 11, when the Cavs clinched the top seed in the East playoffs with a 109-94 victory. He also grabbed a season-high 16 rebounds in a 110-108 overtime win over the Hawks on April 1.
Harden led the NBA in scoring (34.8 ppg) as the Rockets closed the season 4-2 to secure the final playoff spot in the West. He shot 49.3 percent from the field and ranked fifth in the West in three-point shooting at 51.7 percent (30-for-58). Harden also ranked fifth in the conference in assists (7.2 apg) and second in minutes (38.9 mpg). He scored at least 30 points in five of six games and hit the 40-point mark twice. On April 13, he scored 38 points as the Rockets clinched a playoff berth by defeating the Sacramento Kings 116-81.
Here is a closer look at April for James and Harden:
LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers
April 1 @ Atlanta: Finished with 29 points, 16 rebounds and nine assists in a 110-108 overtime win over the Hawks.
April 3 vs. Charlotte: Scored 31 points and added 12 assists and eight rebounds in a 112-103 win over the Hornets.
April 11 vs. Atlanta: Tallied 34 points on 13-for-16 shooting to go with six rebounds and six assists in a 109-94 win over the Hawks.
James Harden, Houston Rockets
April 3 vs. Oklahoma City: Finished with 41 points, nine assists and four rebounds in a 118-110 win over the Thunder.
April 10 vs. L.A. Lakers: Scored 40 points and added 13 assists, four rebounds and four steals in a 130-110 win over the Lakers.
April 11 @ Minnesota: Recorded 34 points and six assists in a 129-105 victory over the Timberwolves.
Other nominees for the Kia NBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Month Boston’s Isaiah Thomas, Charlotte’s Kemba Walker, Golden State’s Stephen Curry, Indiana’s Paul George, the Los Angeles Clippers’ Jamal Crawford, the Los Angeles Lakers’ Kobe Bryant, Phoenix’s Mirza Teletovic, Portland’s Damian Lillard, Toronto’s DeMar DeRozan and Washington’s John Wall.
