San Antonio Spurs forward-center Victor Wembanyama and Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels have been honored as the Kia NBA Defensive Players of the Month for October and November, marking the inaugural recipients of this award.
In the Western Conference, Wembanyama made a significant impact in his first 16 games, leading the league with an impressive average of 3.56 blocks per game and totaling 57 blocks. He also averaged 1.31 steals per game, contributing to 45.9% of the Spurs’ total blocks. His defensive rating of 103.8 was instrumental in helping the Spurs achieve the eighth-best defense in the league, placing them among the top three shot-blocking teams. The Spurs have consistently recorded five or more steals in every game this season, achieving their second-longest streak of this kind in the last 30 years.
In the Eastern Conference, Daniels excelled with the most combined steals and blocks—75 total—over the same period, ranking second in the NBA behind Wembanyama. He became the first player since Michael Jordan in 1988 to achieve at least 57 steals and 18 blocks within the first 19 games of a season. Notably, from November 8 to November 15, Daniels recorded six or more steals in four consecutive games, marking the second-longest such streak in the NBA since the 1973-74 season.
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 October and November.
Gilgeous-Alexander earned his second Player of the Month award, averaging 29.8 points on 50.3% shooting, along with 6.6 assists, 5.3 rebounds, 1.68 steals, and 1.11 blocks over 34.5 minutes per game. He joined an elite group of players, including Giannis Antetokounmpo and Michael Jordan, by averaging at least 29 points on 50% shooting, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1 block through the first 20 games of a season.
Tatum secured his fifth career monthly honor, the second-most in Celtics history, trailing only Larry Bird. He guided the Celtics to a 16-3 record, highlighted by a game-winning shot in overtime against Toronto on November 16. Tatum scored a total of 546 points during this period, ranking third in the Eastern Conference, and led in clutch points (46) while also tying for first in clutch assists (12).
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.
In the Western Conference, Wells ranked second among rookies in scoring with an average of 12.2 points per game, along with 3.3 rebounds and 1.9 assists, shooting 45.4% overall and 39.4% from three-point range. He achieved a season-high 26 points in a victory against the Chicago Bulls on November 23 and scored 10 or more points in 10 of his 18 games.
In the Eastern Conference, McCain became the first 76ers player since Ben Simmons in March 2018 to win Rookie of the Month. He led all rookies with an average of 16 points per game over 18 appearances, including seven games with 20 points or more and a career-high 34 points against Cleveland on November 13. McCain also set a franchise record for the most three-pointers by a rookie in their first 15 games, surpassing Allen Iverson’s previous record.
Coaches of the Month
Houston Rockets coach Ime Udoka and Cleveland Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson have been named the NBA Coaches of the Month.
In the Western Conference, Udoka led the Rockets to a strong 14-6 record, positioning them second in the Western Conference standings and marking their best start since the 2017-18 season.
Atkinson, earning his first Coach of the Month award, guided the Cavaliers to a franchise-best 15-0 start from October 23 to November 17, breaking the previous record of 8-0 set in the 1976-77 season.
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