NEW YORK – The Cleveland Cavaliers’ Kyrie Irving and the Sacramento Kings’ Isaiah Thomas were today named the NBA Eastern and Western Conference Rookies of the Month, respectively, for games played in March.  The award is the third for Irving this season and the second for Thomas.

Irving led all rookies in scoring (19.9 ppg), assists (6.7 apg), and was second in free throw percentage (.881).  He also led all Eastern Conference rookies in fourth-quarter scoring (7.4 ppg).  Irving scored 20 or more points in eight games in March, shooting .500 or better six times. He and had a career-high 12 assists to go along with nine points against the Oklahoma City Thunder on March 9, snapping the Thunders 14 game home winning streak.

Thomas led all Western Conference rookies in assists (4.9 apg) and was second in scoring (13.6 ppg).  He also led all rookies in fastbreak points (64) in March and was ranked first in free throws made (54), second in assists (89), third in points (245) and steals (24).

Here is a recap of the month for both Irving and Thomas:

Kyrie Irving, Cleveland Cavaliers

March 7 @ Denver: Scored 18 points and tallied five rebounds and eight assists to go along with a career-high three steals in a 100-99 win over the Nuggets.

March 9 @ Oklahoma City: Scored nine points and added a career-high 12 assists in a 96-90 win over the Thunder.

March 21 @ Atlanta: Recorded 29 points, nine assists and career highs in rebounds (nine) and steals (three) in a 103-102 OT loss to the Hawks.

March 30 vs. Milwaukee: Scored 29 points and added five assists and three rebounds in a 121-84 loss to the Bucks.

Isaiah Thomas, Sacramento Kings

March 14 vs. Detroit: Scored 21 points and recorded four assists and three rebounds in a 124-112 loss to the Pistons.

March 20 vs. Memphis: Scored 18 points and tallied seven assists and five rebounds in a 119-110 win over the Grizzlies.

March 28 vs. San Antonio Scored a career-high 28 points to go with four rebounds and 10 assists in a 117-112 loss to the Spurs.

March 30 @ Utah: Finished with 19 points, seven assists, five rebounds and two steals in a 104-103 win over the Jazz.

Other nominees for the Eastern and Western Conference Rookies of the Month were Charlotte’s Kemba Walker, Denver’s Kenneth Faried, Detroit’s Brandon Knight, Houston’s Chandler Parsons, New Jersey’s MarShon Brooks and San Antonio’s Kawhi Leonard.