Jaren Jackson Jr. named Western Conference Defensive Player of the Month
This marks his first monthly defensive honor in the inaugural season of the award.
Judy Black
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The NBA announced on Thursday that Memphis Grizzlies forward/center Jaren Jackson Jr. was named Kia Western Conference Defensive Player of the Month for games played in December.
This marks his first monthly defensive honor in the inaugural season of the award, according to a press release from the Memphis Grizzlies.
Jackson Jr. totaled 23 steals and 22 blocks in 14 games to lead the Grizzlies to a 10-4 record (second in the West) in December, said the press release.
He was the league’s only player to record at least 20 steals and at least 20 blocks in December, said Grizzlies officials.
Opponents shot 9.4 percent under regular field goal percentages when defended by Jackson Jr. in December, which was the best defended field goal percentage differential in the league. Jackson Jr. limited opponents to just 40.2 percent shooting last month, said the press release.
In addition to his defensive efforts, Jackson Jr. was the leading scorer on the league’s highest scoring team in December, averaging 22.0 points in 28.7 minutes for a Grizzlies team that set a single-month franchise record by scoring 126.5 points per game, officials said.
In the Grizzlies’ New Year’s Eve game against the Phoenix Suns, Jackson Jr. scored 38 points to lead Memphis to a 117-112 victory, and he outscored the Suns 19-18 at one point late in the first quarter.
In 2023, Jackson Jr. was named NBA Defensive Player of the Year for the 2022-23 season.
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