NEW YORK, Dec. 1, 2016 – The Cleveland Cavaliers’ LeBron James and the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Russell Westbrook today were named the Kia NBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Month, respectively, for games played in October and November.
James led the defending champion Cavaliers to the best record in the Eastern Conference (13-3) behind averages of 23.5 points, 9.3 assists (tied for third in the NBA) and 8.1 rebounds. He tallied three triple-doubles to match his total from last season and logged seven games with at least 10 assists. The 31-year-old James became the youngest player to reach the 27,000-point mark and needs one assist to take over sole possession of 16th place on the all-time list. James shot 49.8 percent from the field and 36.2 percent from three-point range.
Westbrook is averaging a triple-double through 20 games for the Northwest Division-leading Thunder (12-8). The 6-3 guard ranks second in the NBA in scoring (31.2 ppg) and assists (11.3 apg) and 11th in rebounding (10.5 rpg). Westbrook became only the second player in history with at least 500 points, 200 rebounds and 200 assists through 20 games, joining Oscar Robertson, who reached those numbers in his 17th game during the 1961-62 season. Westbrook’s nine triple-doubles — including four straight to close the month — matched the output of the entire league combined.
Here is a closer look at October and November for James and Westbrook:
LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers
Oct. 25 vs. New York: Opened the season with 19 points, 14 assists and 11 rebounds in a 117-88 win over the Knicks.
Nov. 15 vs. Toronto: Scored 28 points and added 14 assists and nine rebounds in a 121-117 win over the Raptors.
Nov. 23 vs. Portland: Finished with 31 points, 13 assists and 10 rebounds in a 137-125 win over the Trail Blazers.
Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder
Oct. 28 vs. Phoenix: Scored a season-high 51 points and added 13 rebounds and 10 assists in a 113-110 overtime win over the Suns.
Nov. 25 @ Denver: Finished with 36 points, 17 assists and 11 rebounds in a 132-129 overtime win over the Nuggets.
Nov. 30 vs. Washington: Tallied 35 points, 14 rebounds and 11 assists in a 126-115 overtime win over the Wizards.
Other nominees for Kia NBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Month were Charlotte’s Kemba Walker, Chicago’s Jimmy Butler, Cleveland’s Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love, Golden State’s Kevin Durant, Houston’s James Harden, the LA Clippers’ Blake Griffin and Chris Paul, Memphis’ Mike Conley and Marc Gasol, Miami’s Hassan Whiteside, New Orleans’ Anthony Davis, New York’s Carmelo Anthony and Kristaps Porzingis, Portland’s Damian Lillard, Sacramento’s DeMarcus Cousins, San Antonio’s Kawhi Leonard and Toronto’s DeMar DeRozan.
