Elfrid Payton, Andrew Wiggins named Rookies of the Month

The Orlando Magic's Elfrid Payton and the Minnesota Timberwolves' Andrew Wiggins on Wednesday were named the Kia NBA Eastern and Western Conference Rookies of the Month, respectively, for games played in January.

Payton paced all rookies in assists (6.9 apg) and steals (1.87 spg), and finished third in scoring (10.7 ppg). He led or tied for the team lead in assists 13 times and scored in double figures eight times in 15 games.

Wiggins, who won the West award for the third consecutive month, led all rookies in scoring (19.8 ppg) and minutes (38.4 mpg) in January. He placed second among rookies in field goal percentage (.471) and was fourth in rebounds (4.6 rpg) and steals (1.41 spg).

Other nominees for the Eastern and Western Conference Rookies of the Month were Denver's Jusuf Nurkic, Minnesota's Zach LaVine, New York's Langston Galloway, and Philadelphia's K.J. McDaniels and Nerlens Noel.