NBA Defensive Player of the Year 2025-26 Season: Latest Power Rankings After Chet Holmgren's Injury Shakes up Top 5 (Nov. 7, 2025)

Victor Wembanyama continues to take pole position in the 2025-26 NBA Defensive Player of the Year race. Despite the San Antonio Spurs’ 1-2 record last week after a 4-0 start, the Frenchman remains the clear favorite for the DPOY award. While Wemby enjoys another week at the top, there are some changes in the rest of the top 5.

Chet Holmgren’s lower back strain caused him to slip a bit as his closest pursuers took steps up. The OKC Thunder star, though, is expected to return healthy, making him a fixture on the list.

After two weeks, here is where the top NBA Defensive Player of the Year contenders stack.

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2025-26 NBA Defensive Player of the Year Power Rankings After Week 2

#5 Bam Adebayo

GP 3 | RPG 6.3 | SPG 1.7 | BPG 0.3

Bam Adebayo’s importance on defense became even more evident in the Miami Heat’s 122-112 loss to the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday. The 6-foot-9 center’s traditional stats don’t jump out, but Miami had no answer for Nikola Jokic once Adebayo left with an injury. The three-time MVP overwhelmed the Heat with 33 points, 16 assists, 15 rebounds and three steals.

Miami has a 107.5 defensive rating with Adebayo on the floor, a figure that rises to 113.7 when he is out, per NBA stats. The Heat are expected to struggle without the NBA Defensive Player of the Year contender.

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#4. Chet Holmgren

GP 1 | RPG 5.0 | SPG 1.0 | BPG 3.0

Chet Holmgren was limited to one game last week due to a back strain. Because of the tightly-contested battle in the next four spots after Victor Wembanyama, Holmgren’s absence dropped him to No. 4. In the OKC Thunder’s 126-107 rout of the LA Clippers on Tuesday, Holmgren underlined his value on defense.

The versatile 7-foot-1 forward tallied only three blocks, but Holmgren’s presence made the Clippers hesitant to attack the paint. Holmgren’s mobility and anticipation as a weak-side defender make him even more valuable to the defending champs.

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#3. Cason Wallace

GP 3 | RPG 3.7 | SPG 3.0 | BPG 0.0

The OKC Thunder are putting even more defensive load on Cason Wallace because of Holmgren’s limited appearances. OKC is also managing Alex Caruso’s minutes after the defensive ace suffered a concussion early in the season.

Wallace has thrived even more as a disruptor who stifles point guards and bothers lengthy wings. He had nine steals in three games last week, a small taste of his anticipation and nose for the ball.

Without Jalen Williams, Wallace has also stood out even when jostling against bigger forwards. Wallace takes a step up in the latest edition of the NBA Defensive Player of the Year rankings.

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#2. Evan Mobley

GP 3 | RPG 7.0 | SPG 2.7 | BPG 1.3

The reigning NBA Defensive Player of the Year winner anchors the Cleveland Cavaliers' defense. Cleveland relies heavily on Evan Mobley's rim protection and ability to shadow perimeter players. Mobley’s 2.7 steals per game last week underlined his impact even when forced to play outside.

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#1. Victor Wembanyama

GP 3 | RPG 11.7 | SPG 1.0 | BPG 3.3

Opponents have been more successful in limiting Victor Wembanyama’s offense, but the 7-foot-5 Frenchman’s defensive impact remains strong. Even when he registered just one block in a 118-116 loss to the LA Lakers, Wemby still controlled the paint.

The Lakers only consistently tried to attack the rim when the NBA Defensive Player of the Year favorite was off the floor.

As great as Victor Wembanyama’s traditional stats are, his advanced defensive metrics impacting the Spurs are even more mind-boggling. With Wemby, San Antonio shows off a 100.2 defensive rating, per NBA stats. Without him, the figure balloons to 121.6, the worst in the NBA.

Wembanyama’s pursuers are facing tall odds in the NBA Defensive Player of the Year race.

Edited by Michael Macasero