The Toronto Raptors’ Norman Powell and the Minnesota Timberwolves’ Karl-Anthony Towns today were named the Kia NBA Eastern and Western Conference Rookies of the Month, respectively, for games played in April.
Powell helped the Raptors to a 6-2 record behind averages of 15.3 points (tops in the Eastern Conference), 4.4 rebounds (seventh), 2.5 assists (tied-fifth) and 1.4 steals (third). He scored in double figures in six of eight games and shot 54.8 percent from the field. In Toronto’s regular-season finale, Powell scored a career-high 30 points on 12-of-18 shooting (including 5-of-6 from three-point range) and added nine rebounds and five assists during the Raptors’ 103-96 win over the Brooklyn Nets.
Towns becomes the first player to sweep a season of Kia NBA Rookie of the Month awards since the Portland Trail Blazers’ Damian Lillard in 2012-13. In April, Towns helped the Timberwolves to a 4-3 mark as he led all rookies in scoring (18.9 ppg), rebounding ( 11.7 rpg), blocks (1.7 bpg) and minutes (35.6 mpg). Towns capped his first NBA season with his 51st double-double (third most in the NBA) when he tallied 28 points and 14 rebounds during Minnesota’s 144-109 win over the New Orleans Pelicans on April 13.
Here is a closer look at March for Powell and Towns:
Norman Powell, Toronto Raptors
April 1 @ Memphis: Scored 14 points and added five assists and four rebounds during a 99-95 win over the Grizzlies.
April 8 vs. Indiana: Posted 27 points, six rebounds and four assists in a 111-98 win over the Pacers.
April 13 @ Brooklyn: Recorded a career-high 30 points and added nine rebounds and five assists in a 103-96 win over the Nets.
Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves
April 5 @ Golden State: Scored 20 points and added 12 rebounds and four assists in a 124-117 overtime win against the Warriors.
April 9 @ Portland: Posted 27 points, nine rebounds and two blocks during a 106-105 win over the Trail Blazers.
April 13 vs. New Orleans: Scored 28 points and added 14 rebounds and three assists during a 144-109 win against the Pelicans.
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Other nominees for the Kia NBA Eastern and Western Conference Rookies of the Month were Denver’s Emmanuel Mudiay, New York’s Jerian Grant, Phoenix’s Devin Booker and Utah’s Trey Lyles.
