Chris Paul earns NBA Western Conference Player of the Month honors

Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul was named the NBA's Western Conference Player of the Month for December, according to Howard Beck of the New York Times.

Paul earned the honor after leading the Clippers to a franchise-record 17 straight wins, a streak that began Nov. 28 and continued through the month of December, ending on Jan. 1 in a 92-78 loss to the Denver Nuggets on the road. In 32 games in the 2012-13 season, Paul has averaged 16.1 points, 9.3 assists, 3.4 rebounds and 2.7 steals per game.

The award marks the seventh time that the 27-year-old has earned the distinction. He was also the 2006-07 NBA Rookie of the Year and last earned the Player of the Month award in April 2012. LeBron James earned the Eastern Conference award.

The Clippers are off to an outstanding start in 2012-13 and have the second-best record in the NBA at 25-7.