Pierce, Walker Named Co-Players of the Month

NEW YORK (Jan. 2, 2001) Boston Celtics forwards Paul Pierce and Antoine Walker today were named the NBA's Eastern Conference co-Players of the Month while San Antonio forward Tim Duncan received the honor as Western Conference Player of the Month for games played in December.

Walker and Pierce have led the team to its best start in 10 years.

This marks the first time that two players have shared the NBA's Player or the Month Award since December 1982, when Larry Drew and Moses Malone split the award. It is the first time two teammates have shared the honor.

Pierce averaged 27.7 points, 6.6 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 2.06 steals while Walker added 23.4 points, 9.3 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 1.13 steals in leading the Celtics to an 11-5 record.

Walker joins Pierce and Larry Bird as the only Celtics to ever win the NBA's Player of the Month Award. Bird won the award seven times, while Pierce won the award last March for the first time in his career.

Paul Pierce & Antoine Walker, Boston

December 1 at New Jersey: Pierce had career-high 48 points and 12 rebounds and Walker added 25 points and 17 rebounds in 105-98 win over the Nets.

December 11 at New York: Walker scored a season-high 42 points, including a three-pointer to send the game into overtime, as the Celtics defeated the Knicks 102-93.

December 21 vs. Utah: Pierce had 36 points and six rebounds and Walker added 19 points, nine rebounds and seven assists in a 98-92 win over the Jazz.

Pierce scored double-figures in the fourth quarter four times during the month -- vs. the Nets, Bulls, Jazz and Clippers -- all of which were late-game comebacks for the Celtics.

Celtics had a 6-1 record when Walker logged a double-double in December.

Other Eastern Conference candidates for NBA Player of the Month included Cleveland's Andre Miller, Indiana's Jermaine O'Neal, New Jersey's Jason Kidd, Orlando's Tracy McGrady and Washington's Michael Jordan.