January is done, which means many things. The NBA playoffs are getting closer, and the trade deadline is here. However, what’s really on fans’ minds is the NBA players of the month for January. Some people think they’re just a nice way for sports stars to get an extra bit of recognition.
They do serve that purpose. Still, there’s more to these awards, especially if you’re tracking performance and making predictions. Finding out which players got the nod can provide some insight into which teams are doing well and who has MVP potential.
Basketball is a team sport, but a leading light can certainly help a team’s championship chances.
NBA January Awards
The NBA January awards come at a time when everyone is eyeing the future picks for the championship winner. If you’re currently browsing Texas sports betting sites, looking at NBA odds, then paying attention to award winners can help. They’re a useful indication of which teams are putting in strong performances.
You can learn a lot from seeing the players of the month, as well as those weekly winners. However, there’s a lot more to it than that. The NBA also picks out two rookies for their performance. The awards categories also include recognition for defensive players. Of course, they show the coaches some love, too.
Each award goes to someone in the Western Conference and then an equivalent in the Eastern Conference. Here are the winners for January 2026:
- Western Conference Rookie of the Month – Cooper Flagg
- Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month – Kon Knueppel
- Western Conference Defensive Player of the Month – Victor Wembanyama
- Eastern Conference Defensive Player of the Month – Ausar Thompson
- Western Conference Coach of the Month – Jordan Ott
- Eastern Conference Coach of the Month – Charles Lee
For both Flagg and Knueppel, it’s their third month in a row winning those awards, proving they’re certainly the rookies to watch.
Players of the Month
The range of teams with awarded players shows that there are a number of franchises out there performing well, at least in certain areas. The list is diverse, including the Phoenix Suns, Charlotte Hornets, San Antonio Spurs, Detroit Pistons, and the Dallas Mavericks.
Let’s not forget about the players of the month, which are usually good signs for those in the running for the annual NBA awards. The Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic got the recognition in the Western Conference. Over in the Eastern Conference, it’s some well-deserved respect for Jaylen Brown, forward/guard for the Boston Celtics.
Western Conference: Luka Doncic
One year ago, everyone was talking about Luka Doncic due to the Mavericks’ trade. That’s how Doncic, from Slovenia, became the LA Lakers guard. He’s no stranger to awards, having won Rookie of the Year in 2019 and NBA Western Conference Finals MVP in 2024. He’s also had five appearances on the All-NBA first team.
His regular-season stats look pretty good. It’s his January stats that got him the award, though. They pretty much speak for themselves. Has 34 points per game, 7.2 rebounds per game, and 9.1 assists per game. His performance helped the Lakers to a 9-7 team W-L last month.
Eastern Conference: Jaylen Brown
Jalyen Brown’s February is not off to a good start, as he is out with a hamstring/knee injury. However, he ended January on a high, getting recognition for his performances as a forward/guard for the Boston Celtics. In 2024, he was Finals MVP as well as NBA Eastern Conference Finals MVP.
His January performance is helping keep the Celtics’ championship hopes alive. The team has a 10-6 W-L record for last month. Brown’s contribution was 29.2 points per game, 7.9 rebounds per game, and 4.6 assists. His status for Friday’s game against the Miami Heat is currently questionable.
Predictions for MVP Candidates
Weekly and monthly awards don’t guarantee an appearance in the NBA Finals. However, they can help fans pick out predictions for MVP candidates. A prime example is Jalen Brunson, who was named Easter Conference Player of the Week back in week 9.
The Knicks’ guard’s performance and leadership skills could give them their first taste of postseason gameplay in a long time.