Victor Wembanyama continues to take pole place within the 2025-26 NBA Defensive Participant of the 12 months race. Regardless of the San Antonio Spurs’ 1-2 document final week after a 4-0 begin, the Frenchman stays the clear favourite for the DPOY award. Whereas Wemby enjoys one other week on the high, there are some adjustments in the remainder of the highest 5.
Chet Holmgren’s decrease again pressure precipitated him to slide a bit as his closest pursuers took steps up. The OKC Thunder star, although, is predicted to return wholesome, making him a fixture on the record.
After two weeks, right here is the place the highest NBA Defensive Participant of the 12 months contenders stack.
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2025-26 NBA Defensive Participant of the 12 months Energy Rankings After Week 2
#5 Bam Adebayo
GP 3 | RPG 6.3 | SPG 1.7 | BPG 0.3
Bam Adebayo’s significance on protection turned much more evident within the Miami Warmth’s 122-112 loss to the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday. The 6-foot-9 heart’s conventional stats don’t soar out, however Miami had no reply for Nikola Jokic as soon as Adebayo left with an damage. The three-time MVP overwhelmed the Warmth with 33 factors, 16 assists, 15 rebounds and three steals.
Miami has a 107.5 defensive ranking with Adebayo on the ground, a determine that rises to 113.7 when he’s out, per NBA stats. The Warmth are anticipated to wrestle with out the NBA Defensive Participant of the 12 months contender.
#4. Chet Holmgren
GP 1 | RPG 5.0 | SPG 1.0 | BPG 3.0
Chet Holmgren was restricted to 1 recreation final week attributable to a again pressure. Due to the tightly-contested battle within the subsequent 4 spots after Victor Wembanyama, Holmgren’s absence dropped him to No. 4. Within the OKC Thunder’s 126-107 rout of the LA Clippers on Tuesday, Holmgren underlined his worth on protection.
The versatile 7-foot-1 ahead tallied solely three blocks, however Holmgren’s presence made the Clippers hesitant to assault the paint. Holmgren’s mobility and anticipation as a weak-side defender make him much more useful to the defending champs.
#3. Cason Wallace
GP 3 | RPG 3.7 | SPG 3.0 | BPG 0.0
The OKC Thunder are placing much more defensive load on Cason Wallace due to Holmgren’s restricted appearances. OKC can also be managing Alex Caruso’s minutes after the defensive ace suffered a concussion early within the season.
Wallace has thrived much more as a disruptor who stifles level guards and bothers prolonged wings. He had 9 steals in three video games final week, a small style of his anticipation and nostril for the ball.
With out Jalen Williams, Wallace has additionally stood out even when jostling towards greater forwards. Wallace takes a step up within the newest version of the NBA Defensive Participant of the 12 months rankings.
#2. Evan Mobley
GP 3 | RPG 7.0 | SPG 2.7 | BPG 1.3
The reigning NBA Defensive Participant of the 12 months winner anchors the Cleveland Cavaliers’ protection. Cleveland depends closely on Evan Mobley’s rim safety and skill to shadow perimeter gamers. Mobley’s 2.7 steals per recreation final week underlined his affect even when compelled to play exterior.
#1. Victor Wembanyama
GP 3 | RPG 11.7 | SPG 1.0 | BPG 3.3
Opponents have been extra profitable in limiting Victor Wembanyama’s offense, however the 7-foot-5 Frenchman’s defensive affect stays robust. Even when he registered only one block in a 118-116 loss to the LA Lakers, Wemby nonetheless managed the paint.
The Lakers solely persistently tried to assault the rim when the NBA Defensive Participant of the 12 months favourite was off the ground.
As nice as Victor Wembanyama’s conventional stats are, his superior defensive metrics impacting the Spurs are much more mind-boggling. With Wemby, San Antonio reveals off a 100.2 defensive ranking, per NBA stats. With out him, the determine balloons to 121.6, the worst within the NBA.
Wembanyama’s pursuers are going through tall odds within the NBA Defensive Participant of the 12 months race.
Edited by Michael Macasero
