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As the NBA season marches on, the race for the Defensive Player of the Year award is heating up.
The Golden State Warriors (27-7) and Phoenix Suns (26-7) remain dominant in the Western Conference and have the best records in the NBA. In the Eastern Conference, the Brooklyn Nets (23-9) and Chicago Bulls (21-10) continue to lead.
Here's a look at the updated Defensive Player of the Year power rankings by Sportskeeda.
No. 5: Mikal Bridges
Previous week’s NBA DPOY Power Ranking - #4
Last Week: Games played - 3; Games won - 2; Games lost - 1
Overall: Games played - 33; Games won - 26; Games lost - 7
Last Week: PPG - 12.0, APG - 0.7, RPG - 5.3
Overall: PPG - 12.2, APG - 1.8, RPG - 3.0
Last Week: FG% - 39.4%, 3P% - 28.6%, FT% - 85.7%
Overall: FG% - 52.3%, 3P% - 39.1%, FT% - 86.7%
Although the Phoenix Suns have had plenty of offensive firepower with Devin Booker and Chris Paul, versatile wing Mikal Bridges has continued to stand out with his defensive impact.
Bridges has started to become a crucial part of the Suns' success. The 25-year-old wing has started to build a reputation as one of the NBA's top perimeter defenders, and he's going to continue to be an important piece for this team moving forward. In his last week, Bridges averaged 12.0 points and 5.3 rebounds per game while shooting 39.4%.
No. 4: Joel Embiid
Previous week’s NBA DPOY Power Ranking - #5
Last Week: Games played - 3; Games won - 2; Games lost - 1
Overall: Games played - 23; Games won - 15; Games lost - 8
Last Week: PPG - 33.3, APG - 2.7, RPG - 11.0
Overall: PPG - 26.0, APG - 4.1, RPG - 10.9
Last Week: FG% - 52.5%, 3P% - 41.7%, FT% - 88.6%
Overall: FG% - 46.7%, 3P% - 38.8%, FT% - 81.5%
The Philadelphia 76ers (18-16) have slowly started to build momentum again. One of the main reasons has been the sensational play of superstar big man Joel Embiid. After ranking fifth in last week's power rankings, Embiid moved up to fourth. The 76ers, sixth in the East, have won two straight games and will visit Brooklyn on Thursday night.
Embiid has started to take his game to another level lately. The versatile Embiid averaged 33.3 points and 11.0 rebounds while shooting an impressive 52.5%, including 41.7% from 3-point range last week. Embiid also got after it on defense as he averaged 1.3 steals and 2.7 blocks per game.
No. 3: Giannis Antetokounmpo
Previous week’s NBA DPOY Power Ranking - #3
Last Week: Games played - 1; Games won - 1; Games lost - 0
Overall: Games played - 28; Games won - 19; Games lost - 9
Last Week: PPG - 36.0, APG - 5.0, RPG - 12.0
Overall: PPG - 27.4, APG - 5.8, RPG - 11.4
Last Week: FG% - 56.5%, 3P% - 0.0%, FT% - 66.7%
Overall: FG% - 53.0%, 3P% - 27.4%, FT% - 68.1%
After a slow start, the Milwaukee Bucks (23-13) have started to find their groove. The Bucks have won seven of their last ten games, including their current four-game winning streak. Superstar forward Giannis Antetokounmpo has powered the resurgence.
After missing five games while in health and safety protocols, Antetokuonmpo returned for one game against the Boston Celtics last week. "The Greek Freak" totaled 36 points, 12 rebounds, five assists and two blocks while shooting 13 of 23. Giannis has continued to be a force with his two-way impact.
No. 2: Rudy Gobert
Previous week’s NBA DPOY Power Ranking - #2
Last Week: Games played - 3; Games won - 3; Games lost - 0
Overall: Games played - 33; Games won - 24; Games lost - 9
Last Week: PPG - 17.7, APG - 1.7, RPG - 16.3
Overall: PPG - 15.4, APG - 1.1, RPG - 14.9
Last Week: FG% - 53.3%, 3P% - N/A, FT% - 75.0%
Overall: FG% - 71.3%, 3P% - 0.0%, FT% - 69.1%
The Utah Jazz (24-9) continue to cement themselves as one of the NBA's title contenders. The Jazz, third in the West, have won eight of their last ten games. Big man Rudy Gobert continues to be the anchor in the paint, and he's had an outstanding season.
Gobert is known as a rim protector, but he's done a sensational job attacking the glass this year. In his last week, Gobert averaged 17.7 points and 16.3 rebounds while shooting 53.3%. Gobert is averaging 2.3 blocks per game.
No. 1: Draymond Green
Previous week’s NBA DPOY Power Ranking - #1
Last Week: Games played - 3; Games won - 3; Games lost - 0
Overall: Games played - 31; Games won - 26; Games lost - 5
Last Week: PPG - 10.7, APG - 9.7, RPG - 8.0
Overall: PPG - 8.4, APG - 7.5, RPG - 7.9
Last Week: FG% - 53.8%, 3P% - 33.3%, FT% - 50.0%
Overall: FG% - 54.7%, 3P% - 28.9%, FT% - 59.7%
Another week of the power rankings features Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green in the top spot. Golden State has impressed with its defensive play, and the veteran forward keys its defense.
Green is one of the league's most versatile defenders, and he's had a sensational season. In his last week, Green averaged 10.7 points, 8.0 rebounds and 9.7 assists per game. He averages 1.4 steals and 1.2 blocks per game.
