The Atlanta Hawks' Joe Johnson and the New Orleans Hornets' Chris Paul today were named the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Month presented by Kia, respectively, for games played in March.

Johnson, who has led the Hawks into playoff contention for the first time since the 1998-99 season, averaging 24.9 points and 7.0 assists in 42.2 minutes in March. Johnson scored 20-or-more points 12 times, including eight straight with 20-plus, and 30-or-more points three times.

Paul led the Hornets to an 11-4 mark, averaging 24.0 points, 13.3 assists and 2.67 steals. Paul collected at least 10 assists in 12 of the Hornets' 15 games and tallied 199 assists in March. Over the last 10 seasons, Steve Nash is the only player to record 200 assists in one month.