Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby, both key contributors for the New York Knicks, had an incredible month of January. The Knicks finished with the best record in the league, going 14-2 and climbing to third place in the eastern conference. Brunson finished the month with a cumulative +/- of +256, while Anunoby was just behind him at +252. These impressive numbers highlight their impact on the team’s success.
In the category of best individual performance, Luka Doncic stood out. While there were many incredible games to choose from, Doncic’s masterclass against the Atlanta Hawks on January 26 was truly remarkable. He scored 73 points, shooting an impressive 75.8% from the field and 61.5% from three-point range. This historic performance made Doncic the first player ever to score 70 or more points while shooting 75% or better from the field.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander claimed the title of Scoring Champ for January. He scored a total of 536 points, surpassing Devin Booker by 56 points. This achievement marked the first time this season that a player scored 500 or more points in a month. It was also the highest monthly total of Gilgeous-Alexander’s career. Only three players since the 1996-97 season have scored more points in the month of January.
To determine the winners of these awards, data was analyzed from every January between the 1996-97 season and the 2023-24 season. The data used for the analysis can be found on the NBA’s stat website. Now, as we enter February and look forward to the second half of the season, let’s take a moment to appreciate the incredible performances and hand out these well-deserved “awards.”
NBA Awards: DiVincenzo and Tatum Dominate 3-Point Shooting
In the world of NBA shooting, two players stood out in the month of January. Donte DiVincenzo and Jayson Tatum showcased their skills from beyond the arc, earning them the title of the best 3-point shooters.
DiVincenzo, known for his catch and shoot abilities, made a whopping 9 threes against the Utah Jazz on January 30. This impressive performance brought his shooting average for the month to an impressive 40%. Throughout January, DiVincenzo took a staggering 119 catch and shoot threes, the highest in the league, and converted them at an impressive rate of 41.2%.
On the other hand, Tatum faced criticism for his tendency to take pull up threes. However, this didn’t deter him from unleashing his shooting prowess. Despite shooting only 32.9% on pull up threes for the year, Tatum managed to hit 32 of them in January alone, the most in the league. What’s even more remarkable is that he achieved a 40% shooting efficiency on these shots.
Rookie Sensation: Victor Wembanyama
While several rookies made waves in the NBA in the early months of the year, none shone brighter than Victor Wembanyama. Wembanyama’s stellar performance earned him the title of the top rookie in January.
Wembanyama averaged an impressive 24 points per game, all while playing just 26.7 minutes per night. His defensive skills were equally remarkable, as he recorded a staggering 46 blocks, the second-highest by a rookie since the 1996-97 season.
Looking Ahead: Trade Deadline, All-Star Break, and Playoffs
As the NBA season progresses, the focus now shifts to the upcoming trade deadline, the highly anticipated All-Star break, and the intense playoff push. Stay tuned for all the latest updates and news from the world of basketball.
– Atticus O’Brien-Pappalardo, NBA Reporter
