LeBron, Westbrook named NBA Players of the Month

The Cleveland Cavaliers’ LeBron James and the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Russell Westbrook were named Thursday the NBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Month, respectively, for games played in October and November.

James led the defending champion Cavaliers to the best record in the Eastern Conference (13-3) behind averages of 23.5 points, 9.3 assists (tied for third in the NBA) and 8.1 rebounds. He tallied three triple-doubles to match his total from last season and logged seven games with at least 10 assists.

Westbrook is averaging a triple-double through 20 games for the Northwest Division-leading Thunder (12-8). The 6-3 guard ranks second in the NBA in scoring (31.2 ppg) and assists (11.3 apg) and 11th in rebounding (10.5 rpg).

Westbrook became only the second player in history with at least 500 points, 200 rebounds and 200 assists through 20 games, joining Oscar Robertson, who reached those numbers in his 17th game during the 1961-62 season.

Other nominees for NBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Month were Charlotte’s Kemba Walker, Chicago’s Jimmy Butler, Cleveland’s Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love, Golden State’s Kevin Durant, Houston’s James Harden, the LA Clippers’ Blake Griffin and Chris Paul, Memphis’ Mike Conley and Marc Gasol, Miami’s Hassan Whiteside, New Orleans’ Anthony Davis, New York’s Carmelo Anthony and Kristaps Porzingis, Portland’s Damian Lillard, Sacramento’s DeMarcus Cousins, San Antonio’s Kawhi Leonard and Toronto’s DeMar DeRozan.