Wizards' Wall, Thunder's Durant, Westbrook named NBA Players of the Month
John Wall of the Washington Wizards was named Eastern Conference Player of the Month for December, while Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook of the Oklahoma City Thunder share the honor in the Western Conference, the league announced Monday.
A look at just how good @JohnWall was last month (he was really good).
(BLOG:) https://t.co/VPG2PZlgFJ
#NBAVote pic.twitter.com/IFNXz9DGJB
— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) January 4, 2016
Oklahoma City's dynamic duo are just the third set of teammates in NBA history to share Player of the Month honors. The Atlanta Hawks' starting unit shared the award last January, while Michael Finley, Steve Nash, and Dirk Nowitzki of the Dallas Mavericks won in November 2002.
News. Kevin Durant & Russell Westbrook named Western Conf @Kia Co-Players of the Month for Dec. #ThunderTeammates pic.twitter.com/nwfwsSI5di
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) January 4, 2016
Wall averaged a double-double in December, scoring 22.6 points to go along with 11.7 assists, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.3 steals. The Wizards' floor general became the first player since Dwyane Wade in November 2006 to have three straight games with at least 26 points, 12 assists, and five rebounds.
Westbrook and Durant led the Thunder to a 12-3 record with a combined 48.7 points per game in December. Westbrook's 2.73 steals a night topped the league during that stretch, and he also recorded a triple-double against the Sacramento Kings on Dec. 6. Durant, meanwhile, finished every game last month with at least 20 points and averaged 7.2 rebounds and 5.7 assists.
Other nominees included Atlanta's Paul Millsap, Reggie Jackson of the Detroit Pistons, Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors, J.J. Redick of the Los Angeles Clippers, Nikola Vucevic of the Orlando Magic, C.J. McCollum of the Portland Trail Blazers, and Kawhi Leonard of the San Antonio Spurs.