Wizards’ John Wall named Eastern Conference Player of the Month

Nov 7, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) dribbles the ball as Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) chases in the third quarter at Verizon Center. The Rockets won 114-106. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 7, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) dribbles the ball as Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) chases in the third quarter at Verizon Center. The Rockets won 114-106. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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Washington Wizards’ John Wall received news from the NBA today that he’s been named NBA Eastern Conference Player of the Month.

Washington Wizards‘ superstar John Wall is finally receiving recognition from the NBA for his exceptional play this season by naming the Wizards’ point guard Eastern Conference Player of the Month for December. The award comes one day after Wall was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week.

Alongside Wall is Houston Rockets’ James Harden, as he like Wall, earned Western Conference Player of the week on Monday as well as Western Conference Player of the Month Tuesday.

The two faced off Monday night in Houston as John Wall tallied 18 points and 12 assists for his 21st double-double of the season. One the other side, Harden recorded his ninth triple-double of the season scoring 23 points along with 10 rebounds, and 10 assists as the Rockets topped the Wizards 101-91.

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In December, John Wall averaged 24.5 points (5th in East), Eastern Conference leading10.7 assists, 4.4 rebounds (3rd among East point guards), NBA-best 2.7 steals, and made 83 free throws (5th in East).

John Wall’s 37.1 minutes per game last month (4th in NBA) is striking for a player coming off an offseason where he underwent surgery on both knees in early May.

Over the month of December, Wall led the Wizards to a record of 10-5, propelling the Wizards back into the Eastern Conference playoff picture. Last month featured a heavy home schedule with nine games at home to just six road games. The Wizards dropped their first home game of the month to the Orlando Magic, despite a career-high 52 points by Wall. However, the Wizards wouldn’t lose another game at Verizon Center as they rattled off eight straight home victories.

Unlike their 13-6 home record, the Wizards are a dismal 3-11 on the road which is second worst in the Eastern Conference only to Brooklyn Nets’ 1-16 record. All but one of the team’s five losses in December came on the road.

Following the team’s loss Monday night in Houston, the Wizards tumbled to the ninth seed in the Eastern Conference. However, the Wizards remain just two games behind the Charlotte Hornets for the fourth place in the East.

John Wall and the Wizards wrap up their brief two-game road trip Tuesday night with a matchup against the 10-win Dallas Mavericks.

Next: Baltimore Orioles sign Jesus Montero to minor league deal

The team returns home Friday night as they look to extend their home eight-game home winning streak against the Minnesota Timberwolves.