On January 3rd, Beijing time, the NBA officially announced the Eastern and Western Conference Player of the Month awards for December, including the newly established Defensive Player of the Month award for this season. The results are as follows: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Thunder and Karl-Anthony Towns of the Knicks were named Players of the Month, while LeBron James, Zhou Qi, and others received nominations; Jaxson Hayes of the Pelicans and Rui Hachimura of the Wizards were named Rookies of the Month; Jaren Jackson Jr. of the Grizzlies and Jarrett Allen of the Cavaliers were named Defensive Players of the Month; and J.B. Bickerstaff of the Cavaliers and Mark Daigneault of the Thunder were named Coaches of the Month.
Player of the Month: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Karl-Anthony Towns
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Thunder averaged 33.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 2.5 steals, and 1.2 blocks in December, with a shooting percentage of 56.3% and a three-point percentage of 36.6%, leading the Thunder to a record of 12 wins and 1 loss. Notably, Alexander also won the Western Conference Player of the Month award in October/November, making it his third career Player of the Month award and second of the season. The Thunder's official account posted a poster to congratulate Alexander on winning the award again.
Karl-Anthony Towns of the Knicks averaged 23.2 points, 14.6 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.1 blocks in December, with a shooting percentage of 56.6% and a three-point percentage of 39%, leading the Knicks to a record of 12 wins and 2 losses. This is the first time in Towns' career that he has been named Player of the Month, and the Knicks' official account posted a poster to congratulate him on his win.
The following players were nominated for Player of the Month:
Western Conference: Rui Hachimura (Lakers), Luka Doncic (Mavericks), Jaren Jackson Jr. (Grizzlies), LeBron James (Lakers), Nikola Jokic (Nuggets), Norman Powell (Clippers), Zhou Qi (Rockets), Victor Wembanyama (Spurs)
Eastern Conference: Giannis Antetokounmpo (Bucks), Julius Randle (Knicks), Malcolm Brogdon (Pacers), Tyler Herro (Heat), Jaylen Johnson and Trae Young (Hawks), Tyrese Maxey (76ers), Donovan Mitchell (Cavaliers)
Rookie of the Month: Jaxson Hayes and Rui Hachimura
Jaxson Hayes of the Pelicans averaged 11.2 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks in December, earning him the Western Conference Rookie of the Month award; Rui Hachimura of the Wizards averaged 13.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks in December, earning him the Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month award. Both teams posted posters to congratulate their players on their wins.
The following players were nominated for Rookie of the Month:
Western Conference: Keldon Johnson (Spurs), Nassir Little (Trail Blazers), Xavier Tillman (Grizzlies), Desmond Bane (Grizzlies)
Eastern Conference: Troy Brown Jr. (Wizards), Mo Bamba (Magic), Bruno Fernando (Hawks)
Defensive Player of the Month: Jaren Jackson Jr. and Jarrett Allen
Jaren Jackson Jr. of the Grizzlies was named Western Conference Defensive Player of the Month, as he was the only player in the league in December with at least 20 blocks and 20 steals, and the Grizzlies' defensive efficiency reached 108.1, ranking third in the West. The Grizzlies' official account posted a poster to congratulate Jackson on his win.
Jarrett Allen of the Cavaliers was named Eastern Conference Defensive Player of the Month, as he ranked second in the East in December with an average of 10.0 contested shots per game, and the Cavaliers' defensive efficiency reached 106.2, ranking first in the East. The Cavaliers' official account posted a poster to congratulate Allen on his win.
The following players were nominated for Defensive Player of the Month:
Western Conference: Hassan Whiteside (Trail Blazers), Anthony Davis (Lakers), Matisse Thybulle (76ers), Rudy Gobert (Jazz), Victor Wembanyama (Spurs)
Eastern Conference: Bam Adebayo (Heat), Obi Toppin (Knicks), De'Andre Hunter (Hawks), Mo Bamba (Magic)
Coach of the Month: J.B. Bickerstaff and Mark Daigneault
In December, J.B. Bickerstaff, head coach of the Cavaliers, led his team to a record of 12 wins and 1 loss, ranking first in the East at the same time, and was named Eastern Conference Coach of the Month. He also won the award in October/November, making it his second consecutive win. Mark Daigneault, head coach of the Thunder, led his team to a record of 12 wins and 1 loss, ranking first in the West at the same time, and was named Western Conference Coach of the Month.
The following coaches were nominated for Coach of the Month:
Western Conference: Chris Finch (Timberwolves), Taylor Jenkins (Grizzlies), Tyronn Lue (Clippers)
Eastern Conference: Jamahl Mosley (Magic), Doc Rivers (76ers), Nate McMillan (Hawks), Tom Thibodeau (Knicks)