Jokic, Embiid named NBA's Players of the Month for January

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic and Philadelphia 76ers centerJoel Embiid have been named the NBA's Western and EasternConference Players of the Month, respectively, for games played inJanuary.

Jokic averaged 24.0 points, 11.6 rebounds and 11.3 assists lastmonth. He led the Nuggets to a 12-4 record, including wins over theBoston Celtics, Los Angeles Clippers (twice), Phoenix Suns andCleveland Cavaliers among others. At 35-16, the Nuggets have thebest record in the Western Conference. Denver has the second-bestoffense in the league (scoring 115.5 points per 100 possessions),and Jokic is the main reason.

Embiid averaged 34.9 points, 10.7 rebounds and 1.6 blocks lastmonth. He led the Sixers to a 11-3 record in January, includingvictories over the Nuggets, Clippers, Sacramento Kings, New OrleansPelicans and Brooklyn Nets. Philadelphia has the third-best recordin the Eastern Conference (33-17), and they are just three gamesback from the top-seeded Celtics.

Denver and Philly also had the NBA's West and East Coaches ofthe Month for January, with Michael Malone and Doc Rivers takinghome that honor.

The other nominees for Player of the Month were Anthony Edwards(MIN), De’Aaron Fox (SAC), Domantas Sabonis (SAC), ShaiGilgeous-Alexander (OKC), LeBron James (LAL), Kawhi Leonard (LAC),Damian Lillard (POR) and Lauri Markkanen (UTA).