NBA Defensive Player of the Year 2025-26 NBA Season: Victor Wembanyama Remains Pack Leader - Jan 2 | 2025-26 NBA Season

Victor Wembanyama’s return from calf injury has settled the NBA Defensive Player of the Year race. Since storming back to the top a week ago, the San Antonio Spurs superstar has kept the No. 1 spot. The rest of the rankings have also remained the same, bridging the last week of December and the first few days of January.

Wemby hyperextended his knee during the Spurs’ 134-132 win over the New York Knicks on Wednesday. If San Antonio keeps him out for a few days, Wemby’s pursuers could gain ground in the DPOY race.

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2025-26 NBA Defensive Player of the Year Power Rankings after Week 10

#5. Ausar Thompson

Season Stats: 5.8 RPG | 0.7 BPG | 1.5 SPG

Ausar Thompson, who broke into the top 5 of the NBA Defensive Player of the Year rankings last week, keeps his spot. The Detroit Pistons guard is one of the league’s most suffocating perimeter defenders. Thompson is sixth in deflections with 4.4 per game and fourth in total deflections with 129.

Thompson’s value doesn’t readily show on the stats. He excels in forcing opponents to give up the ball. The 6-foot-6 guard collapses the floor with his length and mobility. He is arguably the biggest reason the Pistons rank No. 2 in defensive rating (110.6).

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#4. Dyson Daniels

Season stats: 6.5 RPG | 0.4 BPG | 1.9 SPG

Like Thompson, Daniels stifles opponents with his activity, length and defensive instincts. He ranks No. 4 in deflections per game (4.5) and second in total deflections (153). Daniels’ 1.9 steals per outing is second-best in the NBA.

Daniels’ defensive versatility is one of his biggest strengths. Against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday, he spent time guarding Anthony Edwards, Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo. He deserves the No. 4 spot on the NBA Defensive Player of the Year list.

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#3. Chet Holmgren

Season stats: 8.0 RPG | 1.7 BPG | 0.6 SPG

After much criticism for back-to-back underwhelming performances against Victor Wembanyama the other week, Chet Holmgren has bounced back nicely. He had 10 blocks in four games last week, underlining his elite rim protection.

Holmgren’s presence in the paint alone often forces opponents to hesitate in attacking the rim. He is a key piece in the OKC Thunder’s top-ranked defense.

If he keeps up his defensive impact, he could climb the NBA Defensive Player of the Year ladder.

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#2. Cason Wallace

Season stats: 3.1 RPG | 0.2 BPG | 2.2 SPG

The league leader in steals (2.2 spg) is No. 2 on the NBA Defensive Player of the Year list. Cason Wallace is fourth in deflections per game (4.6) and third in total deflections (152). Like Ausar Thompson, Wallace routinely forces opponents to give up the ball.

The advanced metrics also favor Wallace. Oklahoma City has a 100.2 defensive rating with him on the floor and 107.2 without him. No player on the Thunder has had better on-off defensive value.

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#1. Victor Wembanyama

Season stats: 11.7 RPG | 2.9 BPG | 0.8 SPG

Victor Wembanyama’s defensive dominance is reflected in both traditional and advanced stats. Wemby’s 2.9 bpg tops the league. Opponents often refuse to challenge him in fastbreak attacks even when they have the advantage in numbers.

The Spurs have a 103.9 defensive rating, the best in the NBA, with the 7-foot-4 center in the middle. Without him, the figure balloons to 116.1, dropping them to No. 18. No other player in the league makes so much difference in on-off defensive impact.

If he stays healthy, the No. 1 spot on the NBA Defensive Player of the Year list is his to keep.

Edited by Michael Macasero