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 BridgesPhoenix Suns wing Mikal Bridges has impressd on defense.Previous week’s NBA DPOY Power Ranking - #4Last Week: Games played - 3; Games won - 2; Games lost - 1Overall: Games played - 33; Games won - 26; Games lost - 7Last Week: PPG - 12.0, APG - 0.7, RPG - 5.3Overall: PPG - 12.2, APG - 1.8, RPG - 3.0Last 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.Phoenix Suns@SunsStay locked. 🔒@mikal_bridges ➡️ #NBAAllStar4:31 AM · Dec 25, 202132675Stay locked. 🔒@mikal_bridges ➡️ #NBAAllStar https://t.co/rX2fCPjOU4Bridges 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 EmbiidPhiladelphia 76ers big man Joel EmbiidPrevious week’s NBA DPOY Power Ranking - #5Last Week: Games played - 3; Games won - 2; Games lost - 1Overall: Games played - 23; Games won - 15; Games lost - 8Last Week: PPG - 33.3, APG - 2.7, RPG - 11.0Overall: PPG - 26.0, APG - 4.1, RPG - 10.9Last 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.Philadelphia 76ers@sixers36 PTS | 11 REB | 4 AST RT to vote @JoelEmbiid for #NBAAllStar! 🌟🎥 presented by @PALottery8:31 AM · Dec 28, 202192982136 PTS | 11 REB | 4 AST RT to vote @JoelEmbiid for #NBAAllStar! 🌟🎥 presented by @PALottery https://t.co/wu6mkrevRJEmbiid 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.