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Monthly NBA awards: Jayson Tatum, Victor Wembanyama win honors for Oct. and Nov.

See the Players, Rookies, Coaches and Defensive Players of the Month for games played in October and November.

From NBA.com Staff

Victor Wembanyama is the 1st recipient of the new Kia Western Defensive Player of the Month award.

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Defensive Players of the Month

San Antonio Spurs forward-center Victor Wembanyama and Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels have been named the Kia NBA Defensive Players of the Month for games played in October and November, becoming the first recipients of the new award.

Western Conference: In 16 games to start the season, Wembanyama led the league with 3.56 bpg and 57 total blocks while averaging 1.31 spg in October and November. He also accounted for 45.9% of the Spurs’ total blocks.

The sophomore’s 103.8 defensive rating helped anchor the Spurs to an eighth-ranked defense and has put them among the top three shot-blocking teams in the league. Led by Wembanyama, the Spurs have recorded five or more steals in every game this season, their second-longest such streak to begin a season over the last 30 years and tied for third-best in the NBA this season.

Eastern Conference: In October and November, Daniels recorded the most steals and blocks (75 total, combined) in the Eastern Conference and second-most in the NBA, trailing only Wembanyama.

He is the player first player since Michael Jordan in 1988 to record at least 57 steals and 18 blocks within the first 19 games of a season. From Nov. 8 to Nov. 15, Daniels swiped six or more steals in four straight games, the second-longest such streak in the NBA since at least the 1973-74 season and the longest since former NBA Defensive Player of the Year Alvin Robertson in 1986. 

Players of the Month

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum have been named the Kia NBA Players of the Month for games played in October and November.

Western Conference: Gilgeous-Alexander earns the second Player of the Month honor of his career. In October and November, Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 29.8 points on 50.3% shooting, 6.6 apg, 5.3 rpg, 1.68 spg and 1.11 bpg in 34.5 minutes per game.

He recently joined Giannis Antetokounmpo, Michael Jordan and Larry Bird as the only players in NBA history to average at least 29.0 points on 50% shooting, 5.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.50 steals and 1.00 blocks through the first 20 games of a season.

Eastern Conference: Tatum earns his fifth career monthly honor, the second-most Player of the Month awards in Celtics history, trailing only Larry Bird (7). In October and November, Tatum led the Celtics to a 16-3 record, highlighted by his game-winning shot in overtime against Toronto to secure a 126-123 victory on Nov. 16.

He’s scored the third-most points in the East with 546 points and ranked first in clutch points (46), tied for first in clutch assists (12) and third in total three-pointers made (76).

The five-time All-Star is on pace to become only the second player in NBA history to lead their team in points, rebounds, assists, steals and 3-point field goals in multiple seasons.

Rookies of the Month

Philadelphia 76ers guard Jared McCain and Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaylen Wells have been named the Kia NBA Rookies of the Month for games played in October and November.

Western Conference: In October and November, Wells ranked No. 2 in scoring (12.2 points per game) and averaged 3.3 rpg and 1.9 apg while shooting 45.4% overall and 39.4% on 3-pointers.

He had a season-high 26 points (on 10-for-14 shooting) in a 142-131 win against the Chicago Bulls on Nov. 23. In that two-month span, Wells scored 10 or more points in 10 of the 18 games he played and scored 15 or more points seven times.

Eastern Conference: McCain is the first 76ers player since Ben Simmons in March 2018 to capture Rookie of the Month honors. In 18 appearances in October and November, McCain’s 16 ppg led all rookies. He also leads all rookies with seven games of at least 20 points and two games of 30-plus points, including a career-high 34 points against Cleveland on Nov. 13.

McCain’s 38 3-pointers through his first 15 games were the most by a rookie in franchise history, surpassing Iverson’s record of 36 in 1996.

Coaches of the Month

Houston Rockets coach Ime Udoka and Cleveland Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson have been named the NBA Coaches of the Month for games in October and November.

Western Conference: In October and November, Idoka led the Rockets to a 14-6 record. Houston is currently No. 2 in the Western Conference standings. That is Houston’s best start to a season since going 17-4 in 2017-18.

Eastern Conference: Atkinson earns his first Coach of the Month honor of his career. Atkinson led the Cavs to a franchise-best 15-0 start from Oct. 23 to Nov. 17, breaking the previous mark to start a season of 8-0 set in 1976-77.

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