NEW YORK – The New York Knicks’ Kristaps Porzingis and the Minnesota Timberwolves’ Karl-Anthony Towns today were named the Kia NBA Eastern and Western Conference Rookies of the Month, respectively, for games played in December.

This is the second consecutive Kia NBA Rookie of the Month award for Porzingis, who ranked second among East rookies in scoring (12.6 ppg) and rebounding (6.4 rpg) and first among all rookies in blocked shots (2.20 bpg).  Porzingis posted four point-rebound double-doubles and blocked three or more shots in six games.  He also shot 36.6 percent (15-of-41) from three-point range for the month.  During a 91-84 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Dec. 23, Porzingis made 4-of-5 from three-point range en route to 23 points and added 13 rebounds and four assists.

Towns, who also earns his second straight Kia NBA Rookie of the Month award, led all first-year players in scoring (18.6 ppg) and rebounding (9.5 rpg) and ranked second in blocks (1.56 bpg).  He recorded eight point-rebound double-doubles in December and produced eight games with at least 20 points.  Towns shot 55.3 percent from the field for the month and made at least half his shots in 14 of 16 games.  During a 123-122 overtime win against the Los Angeles Lakers on Dec. 9, Towns posted 26 points, 14 rebounds and three blocks.

Here is a recap of the month for Porzingis and Towns:

Kristaps Porzingis, New York Knicks

Dec. 2 vs. Philadelphia: Posted 17 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks in a 99-87 win over the 76ers.

Dec. 4 vs. Brooklyn: Scored 19 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in a 108-91 victory against the Nets.

Dec. 16 vs. Minnesota: Collected 11 points, six rebounds, three assists and seven blocks during a 107-102 win over the Timberwolves.

Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves

Dec. 9 vs. L.A. Lakers: Tallied 26 points, 14 rebounds and three blocks during a 123-122 overtime victory against the Lakers.

Dec. 20 @ Brooklyn: Posted 24 points and 10 rebounds in a 100-85 win over the Nets.

Dec. 30 vs. Utah: Finished with 25 points (10-of-15 field goals) and 10 rebounds in a 94-80 victory over the Jazz.

Other nominees for the Kia NBA Eastern and Western Conference Rookies of the Month were Charlotte’s Frank Kaminsky, Denver’s Nikola Jokic, the Los Angeles Lakers’ D’Angelo Russell, Miami’s Justise Winslow and Philadelphia’s Jahlil Okafor.

Kia NBA Eastern and Western Conference Rookies of the Month
The Kia NBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Month are part of a series of oncourt performance awards called “The Kia NBA Performance Awards.” The series, currently in its ninth 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.  It also includes the Kia NBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Month during the regular season.  Kia serves as the Official Automotive Partner and Official Luxury Vehicle of the NBA.  For more information on the “The Kia NBA Performance Awards,” visit NBA.com/awards.