NEW YORK – The Charlotte Bobcats’ Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and the Portland Trail Blazers’ Damian Lillard today were named the Kia NBA Eastern and Western Conference Rookies of the Month, respectively, for games played in October/November.

Kidd-Gilchrist was the only rookie who ranked in the top 10 in scoring (10.9 ppg, fifth), rebounding (6.5 rpg, sixth), assists (1.5 apg. eighth), steals (1.2 spg, fourth) and blocks (1.3 bpg, second). On Nov. 10 against the Dallas Mavericks, he posted career highs in points (25) and rebounds (12) while leading the Bobcats to a 101-97 victory.

Lillard led all rookies in scoring (18.4 ppg), assists (5.9 apg) and steals (1.38 spg). He is the first NBA player to score at least 20 points in each of his first three NBA games since Grant Hill in 1994.  Lillard tallied a season-high 28 points on 11-of-17 shooting from the field and added eight assists and four rebounds in a 103-95 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Nov. 23.

Here is a recap of the month for Kidd-Gilchrist and Lillard:

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Charlotte Bobcats

Nov. 3 @ Dallas: Posted 13 points, five rebounds and five steals in a 126-99 loss to the Mavericks..

Nov. 10 vs. Dallas: Registered 25 points and 12 rebounds in a 101-97 victory over the Mavericks.

Nov. 19 vs. Milwaukee: Tallied 15 points, nine rebounds and four assists in a 102-98 victory over the Bucks.

Nov.  23 vs. Atlanta: Recorded 11 points, seven rebounds, two steals and four blocks in a 101-91 loss to the Hawks.

Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers

Oct. 31 vs. L.A. Lakers: Scored 23 points, handed out 11 assists and added three rebounds in a 116-106 win over the Lakers.

Nov. 13 @ Sacramento: Recorded 22 points, nine assists and two rebounds in a 103-86 win over the Kings.

Nov. 16 vs. Houston: Posted 27 points, five rebounds and five assists in a 119-117 overtime victory against the Rockets.

Nov. 23 vs. Minnesota: Tallied 28 points, eight assists and four rebounds in an 103-95 win against the Timberwolves.

Other nominees for the Eastern and Western Conference Rookies of the Month were Cleveland’s Dion Waiters, Dallas’ Jae Crowder, Detroit’s Kyle Singler, Golden State’s Harrison Barnes and Toronto’s Jonas Valanciunas.

Kia NBA Eastern and Western Conference Rookies of the Month
For the first time, the Kia NBA Eastern and Western Conference Rookies of the Month are part of a series of on-court performance awards called “The Kia NBA Performance Awards.” The series, currently in its sixth 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: Most Valuable Player Award, Defensive Player of the Year, Sixth Man Award, Most Improved Player Award, and Rookie of the Year.  It also includes the Kia NBA Eastern and Western Conference Players 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.