The Indiana Pacers’ Paul George and the Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry today were named the Kia NBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Month, respectively, for games played in October and November.
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George led the Eastern Conference and ranked fourth in the NBA in scoring (27.2 ppg), helping the Pacers win 11 of 13 games after an 0-3 start. The 6-9 George also averaged 8.1 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.56 steals in 35.6 minutes per game. His 51 three-pointers placed him second in the East and tied for third in the NBA. George scored at least 20 points in 12 straight games to close out November, the longest streak of his career. The streak included a season-high 40-point performance in a 123-106 win over the Wizards on Nov. 24, the second 40-point game of his career.
Curry was the driving force behind the Warriors’ record-setting 19-0 start, ranking first in the NBA in scoring (31.6 ppg) and three-pointers made (94). He hit 42 more triples than any other player for October and November, and his 77 three-pointers in November broke his own record for the most in a calendar month (75 in March 2015). Curry shot 51.2 percent from the field, 44.5 percent from three-point range and 94.1 percent from the free throw line. He scored at least 40 points five times, including an NBA-season-high 53 points in a 134-120 win at New Orleans on Oct. 31.
Paul George, Indiana Pacers
Nov. 6 vs. Miami: Scored 36 points and added 12 rebounds and three steals in a 90-87 victory over the Heat.
Nov. 24 @ Washington: Scored 40 points (on 14-for-19 shooting) and grabbed eight rebounds in a 123-106 win over the Wizards.
Nov. 29 @ L.A. Lakers: Shot 14-of-17 from the foul line and hit five three-pointers on his way to 39 points in a 107-103 win over the Lakers.
Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
Oct. 31 @ New Orleans: Scored 53 points and contributed nine assists, four rebounds and four steals in a 134-120 win over the Pelicans.
Nov. 19 @ L.A. Clippers: Finished with 40 points, 11 rebounds, four assists and three steals in a 124-117 victory over the Clippers.
Nov. 27 @ Phoenix: Hit nine three-pointers and finished with 41 points, eight assists and six rebounds in a 135-116 win over the Suns.
Other nominees for Kia NBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Month were Atlanta’s Paul Millsap, Cleveland’s LeBron James, Detroit’s Andre Drummond, Houston’s James Harden, the Los Angeles Clippers’ Blake Griffin, Miami’s Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade, Oklahoma City’s Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, Orlando’s Evan Fournier, Phoenix’s Eric Bledsoe and Brandon Knight, Portland’s Damian Lillard, San Antonio’s Kawhi Leonard and Toronto’s DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry.