Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic and Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid have been named the NBA's Western and Eastern Conference Players of the Month, respectively, for games played in January.
Jokic averaged 24.0 points, 11.6 rebounds and 11.3 assists last month. He led the Nuggets to a 12-4 record, including wins over the Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Clippers (twice), Phoenix Suns and Cleveland Cavaliers among others. At 35-16, the Nuggets have the best record in the Western Conference. Denver has the second-best offense in the league (scoring 115.5 points per 100 possessions), and Jokic is the main reason.
Embiid averaged 34.9 points, 10.7 rebounds and 1.6 blocks last month. He led the Sixers to a 11-3 record in January, including victories over the Nuggets, Clippers, Sacramento Kings, New Orleans Pelicans and Brooklyn Nets. Philadelphia has the third-best record in the Eastern Conference (33-17), and they are just three games back from the top-seeded Celtics.
Denver and Philly also had the NBA's West and East Coaches of the Month for January, with Michael Malone and Doc Rivers taking home that honor.
The other nominees for Player of the Month were Anthony Edwards (MIN), De’Aaron Fox (SAC), Domantas Sabonis (SAC), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (OKC), LeBron James (LAL), Kawhi Leonard (LAC), Damian Lillard (POR) and Lauri Markkanen (UTA).