Liberty's Charles, Lynx's Moore Named WNBA Players of the Month
September 20, 2016 - Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) News Release
NEW YORK- Tina Charles of the New York Liberty and Maya Moore of the Minnesota Lynx today were named the WNBA's Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Month presented by Samsung, respectively, for games played in September. Charles won her fourth consecutive Player of the Month award, sweeping the honor for the 2016 season and raising her career total to a WNBA-record nine. With her second monthly award of the season, Moore remained one behind Charles with eight.
The Eastern and Western Conference Player of the Month awards, as well as the WNBA Rookie of the Month, are presented by Samsung and are part of the larger WNBA Performance Awards presented by Samsung program. This marks the third consecutive season that Samsung, an official WNBA marketing partner, will present the WNBA's highest individual honors, including the WNBA Most Valuable Player, WNBA Most Improved Player, WNBA Sixth Woman of the Year, WNBA Defensive Player of the Year and WNBA Rookie of the Year.
Charles, the 2012 WNBA MVP and a four-time WNBA All-Star, led all players in rebounding (11.0 rpg) and ranked second in scoring (23.5 ppg) in September. She also tied for sixth in the East in assists (4.0 apg) and finished fourth in blocks (1.33 bpg). Charles capped a season in which she led the WNBA in scoring (21.5 ppg) and rebounding (9.9 rpg) and guided New York to an East-best 21-13 record and a first-round bye in the playoffs.
In September, the former University of Connecticut standout posted five double-doubles in six games. Charles opened the month with 22 points, 11 rebounds and six assists in a 98-77 road loss to the Indiana Fever on Sept. 1. Two days later, Charles recorded 23 points, 15 rebounds and three assists in a 92-70 home win against the Phoenix Mercury.
Additional highlights of Charles' play in September included:
- Sept. 9 vs. Connecticut Sun: 23 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks in an 89-82 victory
- Sept. 11 at Dallas Wings: 29 points, 10 rebounds, five blocks and three assists in an 84-81 loss
Moore, the 2013 WNBA Finals MVP and 2014 regular-season MVP, led all West players in scoring (21.6 ppg) and ranked second in three-point field goal percentage (.577, 15-of-26) during September. She also finished the month tied for fourth among West players in assists (3.9 apg) and contributed 4.9 rebounds. Moore guided Minnesota to a 6-1 mark, the best record in the WNBA, as the Lynx clinched a double-bye and the No. 1 seed for the playoffs. Minnesota (28-6) set a franchise record for victories and finished one win shy of the WNBA record set by Phoenix in 2014 (29-5).
During the month, the former UConn standout scored at least 20 points in five of seven games. She opened the month with 27 points and six rebounds in a 75-69 home win over the Washington Mystics on Sept. 2. Two days later, Moore had 24 points, five rebounds and three assists in a 93-79 victory against the visiting Sun. Moore then recorded 20 points, seven rebounds, three assists and two steals in a 77-74 road win over the Los Angeles Sparks.
Additional highlights of Moore's play in September included:
* Sept. 13 at Chicago Sky: 27 points and five assists in a 98-97 overtime loss * Sept. 18 vs. Atlanta Dream: 21 points, eight assists and two steals in a 95-87 win
For more information on this year's WNBA Performance Awards presented by Samsung, visit www.wnba.com/awards.
2016 WNBA PLAYERS OF THE MONTH PRESENTED BY SAMSUNG WINNERS
Month East Player Team West Player Team May Tina Charles New York Maya Moore Minnesota June Tina Charles New York Nneka Ogwumike Los Angeles July Tina Charles New York Nneka Ogwumike Los Angeles September Tina Charles New York Maya Moore Minnesota
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- Liberty's Charles, Lynx's Moore Named WNBA Players of the Month - WNBA
- Lynx Forward Maya Moore Named Western Conference Player of The Month - Minnesota Lynx
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