NEW YORK, Dec. 1, 2016 – The Philadelphia 76ers’ Joel Embiid and the Denver Nuggets’ Jamal Murray today were named the Kia NBA Eastern and Western Conference Rookies of the Month, respectively, for games played in October and November.
Embiid, 22, the third pick in NBA Draft 2014 presented by State Farm, paced all rookies in scoring (18.2 ppg), rebounding (7.8 rpg), blocks (2.42 bpg) and three-point field goal percentage (50.0). He is the first rookie since Shaquille O’Neal in the 1992-93 season to post these averages through 12 games. Embiid recorded four point-rebound double-doubles and scored a season-high 26 points on 9-of-14 shooting in a 120-105 win over the Phoenix Suns on Nov. 19. On Nov. 11, he tallied 25 points, seven rebounds, two assists and two blocks in a 109-105 overtime victory over the Indiana Pacers.
Murray, 19, the seventh pick in NBA Draft 2016 presented by State Farm, led all West rookies in scoring (10.4 ppg) to go with 2.8 rebounds (fourth) and 2.1 assists (fifth). He scored at least 18 points in four of six games to close the month, including a 24-point, six-rebound effort on Nov. 22 in a 110-107 victory over the Chicago Bulls. On Nov. 25, he finished with 20 points, seven rebounds, two steals and one block in a 132-129 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Here is a recap of October and November for Embiid and Murray:
Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers
Nov. 11 vs. Indiana: Recorded 25 points, seven rebounds, two assists and two blocks in a 109-105 win over the Pacers.
Nov. 19 vs. Phoenix: Scored a season-high 26 points on 9-of-14 shooting to go with seven rebounds, two assists and two blocks in a 120-105 victory the Suns.
Nov. 27 vs. Cleveland: Posted 22 points, nine rebounds, four assists and three blocks in a 112-108 loss to the Cavaliers.
Jamal Murray, Denver Nuggets
Nov. 20 vs Utah: Scored 18 points on 6-for-8 shooting to go with four assists and two rebounds in a 105-91 win over the Jazz
Nov. 22 vs. Chicago: Scored a season-high 24 points on 9-of-13 shooting to go with six rebounds and two assists in a 110-107 victory over the Bulls.
Nov. 25 vs. Oklahoma City: Contributed 20 points, seven rebounds and two steals in a 132-129 loss to the Thunder.
Other nominees for the Eastern and Western Conference Rookies of the Month were Boston’s Jaylen Brown, the Los Angeles Lakers’ Brandon Ingram, New York’s Willy Hernangomez, New Orleans’ Buddy Hield, Oklahoma City’s Domantas Sabonis, Philadelphia’s Dario Saric and Toronto’s Pascal Siakam.
Kia NBA Eastern and Western Conference Rookies of the Month
The Kia NBA Eastern and Western Conference Rookies of the Month are part of a series of oncourt performance awards called the “Kia NBA Performance Awards.” The series, currently in its 10th season, is part of a multiyear marketing partnership between Kia Motors America and the NBA, and also includes five of the league’s most prestigious year-end honors: Kia NBA Most Valuable Player Award, Kia NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award, Kia NBA Sixth Man Award, Kia NBA Most Improved Player Award, and Kia NBA Rookie of the Year Award. Each year-end award will be presented at the first-ever NBA Awards Show in New York City on Monday, June 26, 2017. Kia serves as the Official Automotive Partner and Official Luxury Vehicle of the NBA. For more information on the “Kia NBA Performance Awards,” visit nba.com/video/kia-performance-awards
