NEW YORK – The New York Knicks’ Carmelo Anthony and the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Kevin Durant were today named the Kia NBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Month, respectively, for games played in January.

 Anthony led the Eastern Conference in scoring (28.7 ppg), ranked ninth in rebounding (9.0 rpg) and third in minutes (37.7 mpg) as he led the Knicks to a 10-6 (.625) record, which included four straight wins to close the month.  He ranked sixth in the league with a .494 shooting percentage from distance, and made 44 made three-point field goals.  Anthony recorded five point-rebound double-doubles, and topped the 25-point mark in 12-of-16 games.  He set a Knicks franchise record, Madison Square Garden single-game record, and now owns the 2013-14 single-game high thanks to his 62-point outburst on Jan. 24, during a 125-96 win over the Charlotte Bobcats.

Durant, who captured his third consecutive Kia NBA Western Conference Player of the Month award, led the NBA in scoring (35.9 ppg), ranked fifth in the conference in minutes (38.3 mpg), tied for eighth in the conference in steals (1.63 spg) and 10^th in the conference in field goal percentage (.549) as he helped the Thunder to a 13-4 (.765) record in January.  Durant appeared in 16 of Oklahoma City’s 17 games, and scored 20 or more points each time, 30 or more points 13 times, 40 or more points five times, and 50-plus one time – on Jan. 17, when he set a career high with 54 during a 127-121 win over the Golden State Warriors.

Here is a closer look at the month for Anthony and Durant:

Carmelo Anthony, New York Knicks

Jan. 9 vs. Miami: Tallied 29 points, eight rebounds and five assists in a 102-92 win over the Heat.

Jan. 13 vs. Phoenix: Collected 29 points and 16 rebounds in a 98-96 win over the Suns.

Jan. 24 vs. Charlotte: Scored an NBA-season high, Knicks-franchise high and Madison Square Garden record 62 points in a 125-96 win over the Bobcats.

Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder

Jan. 4 @ Minnesota: Posted 48 points and added seven rebounds and seven assists in a 115-111 win over the Timberwolves. Jan. 17 vs. Golden State: Netted a career high 54 points on 19-of-28 shooting during a 127-121 win over the Warriors.

Jan. 25 @ Philadelphia: Collected a triple-double with 32 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists in a 103-91 win over the 76ers.

Other nominees for Kia NBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Month were Brooklyn’s Joe Johnson, Charlotte’s Al Jefferson, Houston’s Terrence Jones, Indiana’s Paul George and Lance Stephenson, Los Angeles Clippers’ Blake Griffin, Memphis’ Mike Conley, Miami’s LeBron James, Minnesota’s Kevin Love and Portland’s LaMarcus Aldridge.

Kia NBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Month

The Kia NBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Month are part of a series of on-court performance awards called “The Kia NBA Performance Awards.” The series, currently in its seventh season, is part of a multiyear marketing partnership between Kia Motors America and the NBA, and includes five of the league’s most prestigious year-end honors: Kia Most Valuable Player Award, Kia Defensive Player of the Year, Kia Sixth Man Award, Kia Most Improved Player Award, and Kia Rookie of the Year.  The series also includes the Kia NBA Eastern and Western Conference Rookies of the Month during the regular season.  Kia Motors is the Official Automotive Partner of the NBA and the Kia Optima is the league’s Official Vehicle.  For more information on the “The Kia NBA Performance Awards” visit www.NBA.com/awards.