NEW YORK – The Toronto Raptors’ DeMar DeRozan and the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Russell Westbrook today were named the Kia NBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Month, respectively, for games played in April.

DeRozan averaged an East-best 24.1 points per game for the month and added 4.9 assists and 3.7 rebounds. He shot 49.2 percent from the field, including a 14-of-25 performance during a 38-point effort in a 117-116 overtime loss to the Boston Celtics on April 4. DeRozan led the East with 49 free throw attempts – he made 85.7 percent (42-of-49) – despite missing one of the Raptors’ eight games. Toronto went 5-2 with DeRozan, who capped the regular season on April 15 against the Charlotte Hornets by contributing 16 points, six assists and four rebounds in a 92-87 win that gave the Raptors a franchise-best 49 victories.

Westbrook won the West award for the third consecutive month, averaging an NBA-high 32.5 points, 8.1 assists (third in the conference) and 8.0 rebounds (tops among West guards). The Thunder All-Star recorded two triple-doubles, raising his league-leading total to 11, and he scored 36 or more points four times in eight games. Westbrook averaged 42.3 points (on 50.0 percent shooting) in his final three games of the month, scoring a career-high  54 points in a 116-104 loss to the Indiana Pacers on April 12 and piling up 34 of his 37 points in the first half during a 138-113 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on April 15.

Here is a closer look at the month for DeRozan and Westbrook:

DeMar DeRozan, Toronto Raptors

April 3 @ Brooklyn: Posted 27 points, eight rebounds and eight assists in a 114-109 loss to the Nets.

April 10 @ Orlando: Tallied 29 points, five assists and three rebounds in a 101-99 victory over the Magic.

April 11 @ Miami: Finished with 24 points, six rebounds and four steals in a 107-104 win over the Heat.

Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder

April 5 vs. Houston: Recorded a triple-double of 40 points, 13 assists and 11 rebounds in a 115-112 loss to the Rockets.

April 10 vs. Sacramento: Contributed 27 points, 10 assists and five rebounds in a 116-103 win over the Kings.

April 13 vs. Portland: Scored 36 points and added 11 rebounds and seven assists in a 101-90 victory over the Trail Blazers.

Other nominees for Kia NBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Month were Boston’s Isaiah Thomas, Brooklyn’s Brook Lopez, Chicago’s Pau Gasol, Golden State’s Stephen Curry, Indiana’s C.J. Miles, the Los Angeles Clippers’ DeAndre Jordan and Chris Paul, New Orleans’ Anthony Davis and San Antonio’s Kawhi Leonard.

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 eighth 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.  In addition to continuing to serve as the league’s Official Automotive Partner, Kia is also the Official Luxury Vehicle of the NBA, following the introduction of the brand’s modern and elegant K900 rear-drive luxury sedan.  For more information on the “The Kia NBA Performance Awards” visit www.NBA.com/awards.