The Cavaliers’ Kyrie Irving and the Timberwolves’ Ricky Rubio today were named the NBA Eastern and Western Conference Rookies of the Month, respectively, for games played from the start of the season (Dec. 25) through January.

Irving leads all rookies in scoring (18.1 ppg), ranks second in assists (4.9 apg) and field goal percentage (.511), and is third in three-point field goal percentage (.411). On Jan. 27 against the New Jersey Nets, he scored 21 of his season-high 32 points in the fourth quarter, including 17 in the last 2:58, becoming the first rookie to score at least 21 points in the fourth quarter of a game since Marcus Williams of the Nets did it on Nov. 24, 2006.

Rubio ranks fifth among rookies in scoring (11.4 ppg) and first in assists (8.9 apg) and steals (2.24 spg). His six steals on Jan. 18 vs. Detroit are the most by a Wolves player since Kevin Garnett had seven vs. the L.A. Clippers on Jan. 27, 2007.

via NBA press release