Cavaliers' LeBron James, Pelicans' Anthony Davis named Kia Players of the Month

NEW YORK – The Cleveland Cavaliers’ LeBron James and the New Orleans Pelicans’ Anthony Davis today were named the Kia NBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Month, respectively, for games played in March and April.

James averaged an NBA-high 29.6 points to go with 9.5 assists (second in the East) and 9.4 rebounds (fifth in the East) in 22 games, earning Kia NBA Eastern Conference Player of the Month honors for the fourth time this season. He previously won the award for October/November, December and February.

The 15-year veteran forward recorded six triple-doubles during the extended month, raising his season total to a career-high 18. He also shot 53.6 percent from the field and 38.3 percent from three-point range. Behind James, the Cavaliers went 14-8 in March/April to reach 50 wins for the fourth consecutive season. As the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference for the 2018 NBA Playoffs, Cleveland (50-32) will play host to the Indiana Pacers (48-34) in Game 1 of a first-round series on Sunday, April 15 at 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC.

Davis won the Kia NBA Western Conference Player of the Month award for the second straight month. He averaged 28.2 points (third in the NBA), 11.1 rebounds (seventh in the NBA), a league-leading 3.65 blocked shots and 1.85 steals (fourth in the West) in 20 games for the Pelicans, who went 13-7 when Davis played and 13-8 overall.

With the 6-10 forward/center leading the way, New Orleans closed the regular season with five straight wins and secured its first playoff berth since 2015. Davis and the sixth-seeded Pelicans (48-34) will visit the Portland Trail Blazers (49-33) in Game 1 of a Western Conference first-round playoff series on Saturday, April 14 at 10:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.

Here are additional highlights for James and Davis in March and April:

LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers

March 7 @ Denver: Finished with 39 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds in a 113-108 win over the Nuggets.

March 21 vs. Toronto: Scored 35 points, handed out 17 assists and grabbed seven rebounds in a 132-129 victory against the Raptors.

April 5 vs. Washington: Registered 33 points, 14 assists and nine rebounds in a 119-115 victory against the Wizards.

Anthony Davis, New Orleans Pelicans

March 6 @ LA Clippers: Finished with 41 points, 13 rebounds, four blocks and three steals in a 121-116 victory against the Clippers.

March 21 vs. Indiana: Recorded 28 points, 13 rebounds and five blocks in a 96-92 win over the Pacers.

April 7 @ Golden State: Tallied 34 points, 12 rebounds, four assists and four blocks in a 126-120 victory against the Warriors.

Other nominees for the Kia NBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Month were Denver’s Nikola Jokic, Golden State’s Kevin Durant, Houston’s James Harden, Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo, Oklahoma City’s Russell Westbrook, Philadelphia’s Ben Simmons, Portland’s Damian Lillard and San Antonio’s LaMarcus Aldridge.