NEW YORK – The Washington Wizards’ Bradley Beal 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 January.

Beal, who wins his second consecutive Kia Rookie of the Month award, led all Eastern Conference rookies in scoring (15.1 ppg) and three-point field goal percentage (.508), and finished second in minutes (32.9 mpg) and third in assists (2.5 apg). Beal became the first rookie since Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry in 2010 to shoot .500 or better from three-point range in a calendar month with at least 50 attempts.

Lillard, who wins his third consecutive Kia Rookie of the Month award, led all rookies in scoring (17.7 ppg), assists (6.8 apg) and minutes (39.6 mpg). Among all NBA players this season, Lillard ranks 19^th in scoring (18.1 ppg), 13^th in assists (6.5 apg) and seventh in three-pointers made (102). Lillard recorded his eighth game this season of 20-plus points and eight-plus assists on Jan. 23 during a 100-80 victory over the Indiana Pacers.

Here is a recap of the month for Beal and Lillard:

Bradley Beal, Washington Wizards

Jan. 7 vs. Oklahoma City: Posted 22 points, five rebounds and four assists in a 101-99 win over the Thunder.

Jan. 16 @ Sacramento: Recorded 26 points and six assists in a 95-94 loss to the Kings.

Jan. 18 @ Denver: Tallied 23 points, four assists and three rebounds in a 112-108 win over the Nuggets.

Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers

Jan. 11 @ Golden State: Made seven three-pointers en route to a career-high 37 points during a 103-97 loss to the Warriors.

Jan. 19 vs. Milwaukee: Tallied 26 points and 10 assists during a 110-104 loss to the Bucks.

Jan. 23 vs. Indiana: Posted 20 points and eight assists as the Trail Blazers upended the Pacers 100-80.

Other nominees for the Eastern and Western Conference Rookies of the Month were Cleveland’s Dion Waiters and Tyler Zeller, Detroit’s Andre Drummond and New Orleans’ Anthony Davis.

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.