NEW YORK – The Washington Wizards’ John Wall and the Houston Rockets’ James Harden today were named the Kia NBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Month, respectively, for games played in December.

Wall led the Eastern Conference in assists (10.7 apg) and steals (2.67 spg) and ranked fifth in scoring (24.5 ppg) as the Wizards (10-5) posted their first 10-win month since December 2014.  The reigning Eastern Conference Player of the Week was one of only three players to average a point-assist double-double in December, joining Harden and the LA Clippers’ Chris Paul.  Wall, who scored a career-high 52 points in a 124-116 loss to the Orlando Magic on Dec. 6, shot 49.1 percent from the field and 81.4 percent from the free throw line for the month.

Harden led the league in assists (12.0 apg) and ranked fourth in scoring (28.3 ppg) as the Rockets (15-2) tied a franchise record for wins in a month and outscored their opponents by an average of 12.9 points per game.  He became the first player in NBA history with at least 50 points, 15 rebounds and 15 assists in a game when scored a career-high 53 points, equaled a career best with 17 assists and grabbed a Rockets-season-high 16 rebounds in a 129-122 win over the New York Knicks on Dec. 31, one of his five triple-doubles in December.  Harden added 9.1 rebounds and 1.53 steals while shooting 45.2 percent from the field and 85.9 percent from the free throw line.

Here is a closer look at December for Wall and Harden:

John Wall, Washington Wizards

Dec. 6 vs. Orlando: Scored a career-high 52 points and added eight assists in a 124-116 loss to the Magic

Dec. 14 vs. Charlotte: Tallied 25 points, 10 assists, seven steals and six rebounds in a 109-106 win over the Hornets.

Dec. 28 vs. Indiana: Finished with 36 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists in a 111-105 win over the Pacers.

James Harden, Houston Rockets

Dec. 1 @ Golden State: Finished with 29 points, 15 rebounds and 13 assists in a 132-127 win over the Warriors.

Dec. 5 vs. Boston: Shot 18-for-18 from the line on his way to 37 points in a 107-106 win over the Celtics.

Dec. 30 vs. LA Clippers: Tallied 30 points, 13 rebounds, 10 assists and five steals in a 140-116 win over the Clippers.

Other nominees for Kia NBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Month were Boston’s Isaiah Thomas, Cleveland’s LeBron James, Golden State’s Kevin Durant, Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo, New Orleans’ Anthony Davis, Oklahoma City’s Russell Westbrook, Sacramento’s DeMarcus Cousins, San Antonio’s Kawhi Leonard and Toronto’s DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry.

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 oncourt performance awards called the “Kia NBA Performance Awards.”  The series, currently in its 10^th season, is part of a multiyear marketing partnership between Kia Motors America and the NBA, and also includes five of the league’s most prestigious year-end honors: Kia NBA Most Valuable Player Award, Kia NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award, Kia NBA Sixth Man Award, Kia NBA Most Improved Player Award, and Kia NBA Rookie of the Year Award.  Each year-end award will be presented at the first-ever NBA Awards Show in New York City on Monday, June 26, 2017.  Kia serves as the Official Automotive Partner and Official Luxury Vehicle of the NBA.  For more information on the “Kia NBA Performance Awards,” visit nba.com/video/kia-performance-awards