NBA Defensive Player of the Year featuring Giannis Antetokounmpo, Draymond Green and more: February 16th, 2022 | Latest Power Rankings by SportsKeeda

The race for the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award continues to intensify. There have been plenty of fascinating storylines throughout the season. Teams are getting prepared for the All-Star break, which will allow players the ability to regroup and get ready for the final stretch of the season.

The Phoenix Suns and Golden State Warriors continue to impress with their play in the Western Conference. The race for the top spot in the Eastern Conference continues to heat up as well, as teams such as the Miami Heat and Chicago Bulls continue to battle it out.

With the All-Star break quickly approaching, it's time to take a look at where players across the league stand when it comes to the updated Defensive Player of the Year power rankings by Sportskeeda.

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No. 5: Mikal Bridges

Phoenix Suns wing Mikal Bridges continues to impress.

Previous week’s NBA DPOY Power Ranking - #5

Last Week: Games played - 4; Games won - 4; Games lost - 0

Overall: Games played - 57; Games won - 47; Games lost - 10

Last Week: PPG - 17.5, APG - 2.3, RPG - 3.3

Overall: PPG - 13.3, APG - 2.2, RPG - 4.3

Last Week: FG% - 62.2%, 3P% - 35.0%, FT% - 87.5%

Overall: FG% - 52.9%, 3P% - 37.0%, FT% - 86.0%

The Phoenix Suns (47-10) look determined to make it back to the NBA Finals. The Suns currently find themselves in first place in the Western Conference. One of the most crucial parts to Phoenix's success has been young wing Mikal Bridges.

Phoenix is riding a six-game winning streak.

In his last week, Bridges averaged 17.5 points and 4.3 rebounds per game while shooting 62.2%. The young wing continues to build a reputation as one of the league's top defenders and will be a name to watch closely.

No. 4: Jaren Jackson Jr.

Memphis Grizzlies big man Jaren Jackson Jr is heating up in the Defensive Player of the Year race.

Previous week’s NBA DPOY Power Ranking - #4

Last Week: Games played - 3; Games won - 3; Games lost - 0

Overall: Games played - 58; Games won - 40; Games lost - 18

Last Week: PPG - 18.7, APG - 1.3, RPG - 9.0

Overall: PPG - 16.9, APG - 1.1, RPG - 6.1

Last Week: FG% - 37.5%, 3P% - 38.9%, FT% - 90.5%

Overall: FG% - 41.8%, 3P% - 32.2%, FT% - 80.3%

One of the hottest teams in the NBA this year has been the Memphis Grizzlies, now a serious contender in the Western Conference. The team is riding a six-game winning streak and is third in the West. One of the main reasons for the Grizzlies' continued success has been the resurgence of young big man Jaren Jackson Jr.

The Grizzlies have had plenty of impressive contributors on their roster, but the impact Jackson has had cannot be understated. The young big man continues to surge with confidence and has given the Grizzlies another dangerous weapon. In his last week, Jackson averaged 18.7 points and 9.0 rebounds per game. He continues to take strides as a lethal shot blocker.

No. 3: Draymond Green

Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green

Previous week’s NBA DPOY Power Ranking - #2

Last Week: Games played - 0; Games won - 0; Games lost - 0

Overall: Games played - 34; Games won - 28; Games lost - 6

Last Week: PPG - N/A, APG - N/A, RPG - N/A

Overall: PPG - 7.9, APG - 7.4, RPG - 7.6

Last Week: FG% - N/A, 3P% - N/A, FT% - N/A

Overall: FG% - 53.7%, 3P% - 28.6%, FT% - 59.7%

The Golden State Warriors (42-16) are in second place in the West. When Golden State is firing on all cylinders, it's been due to the impressive play of veteran forward Draymond Green.

The versatile defensive weapon has been sidelined for an extended period of time while dealing with a back injury. Once Green returns, he will be a player who can climb the DPOY ranks in a hurry. Golden State is a more dangerous team with Draymond in the mix.

No. 2: Giannis Antetokounmpo

Milwaukee Bucks superstar forward Giannis Antetokounmpo

Previous week’s NBA DPOY Power Ranking - #3

Last Week: Games played - 2; Games won - 2; Games lost - 0

Overall: Games played - 48; Games won - 31; Games lost - 17

Last Week: PPG - 31.0, APG - 8.0, RPG - 10.5

Overall: PPG - 29.4, APG - 6.0, RPG - 11.3

Last Week: FG% - 64.7%, 3P% - 40.0%, FT% - 59.3%

Overall: FG% - 54.7%, 3P% - 30.4%, FT% - 72.0%

The Milwaukee Bucks are in third place in the East, just 1.5 games behind the Miami Heat for the top spot. One major reason behind the Bucks' impressive play has been superstar forward Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Giannis is one of the most dominant two-way players in the league. After finding himself third in the DPOY power rankings for a number of weeks, Giannis climbed to second place this week. In his last week, Giannis averaged 31.0 points, 10.5 rebounds and 8.0 assists per game while shooting 64.7%, including 40.0% from 3-point range.

No. 1: Rudy Gobert

Utah Jazz big man Rudy Gobert

Previous week’s NBA DPOY Power Ranking - #1

Last Week: Games played - 0; Games won - 0; Games lost - 0

Overall: Games played - 42; Games won - 29; Games lost - 13

Last Week: PPG - N/A, APG - N/A, RPG - N/A

Overall: PPG - 15.9, APG - 1.2, RPG - 14.9

Last Week: FG% - N/A, 3P% - N/A, FT% - N/A

Overall: FG% - 71.1%, 3P% - 0.0%, FT% - 69.0%

The Utah Jazz are in fourth place in the West and have won their last six games. When Utah has been at its best, it was due to the play of star big man Rudy Gobert.

Gobert had been sidelined for nine straight games while dealing with an injury. He returned to action Monday and finished with 14 points and seven rebounds in 21 minutes. Gobert has been sensational throughout the year and continues to be a frontrunner for the Defensive Player of the Year award.