Kevin Durant named Western Conference Player of the Month

The Thunder forward helped Oklahoma City to an 11-5 record in the month of December.

Thursday, May 26th 2011, 12:07 pm

By: News On 6

Kevin Durant named Western Conference Player of the Month

Originally Published: Jan 3, 2011 6:21 PM CDT

OKLAHOMA CITY -- OKC forward Kevin Durant received the NBA's Western Conference Player of the Month award for games played in December, the league announced Monday.

Durant, the league's leading scorer, averaged 29.4 points per contest in December, leading the Thunder to an 11-5 record in the month. He shot 51 percent from the field, 41 percent from 3-point range and 85 percent from the line during those games.

On Christmas Day, Durant scored 44 points and grabbed seven rebounds as the Thunder topped their division rival, Denver.

On New Year's Eve, he scored 33 points to lead OKC over the Atlanta Hawks, 103-94.

Durant beat out fellow nominees Dirk Nowitzki of Dallas, Tony Parker of San Antonio, LaMarcus Aldrige of Portland and Deron Williams of Utah for the award.

The Miami Heat's LeBron James and Dwyane Wade shared the Eastern Conference Player of the Month award for December.

Durant and the Thunder take on the Memphis Grizzlies at 7 p.m. on Wednesday in Memphis.