The race for the Defensive Player of the Year award is strong midway through the NBA season.The Phoenix Suns (34-9) hold the league's best record. Meanwhile, the Golden State Warriors (32-12), Memphis Grizzlies (31-15) and Utah Jazz (29-15) continue to chase Phoenix in the Western Conference.The Chicago Bulls (27-18) and Miami Heat (28-16) are atop the Eastern Conference, while the Brooklyn Nets (27-16) have struggled this month.It's time to take a look at the updated Defensive Player of the Year power rankings by Sportskeeda.No. 5: Mikal BridgesPhoenix Suns wing Mikal BridgesPrevious week’s NBA Sixth Man of the Year Power Ranking - #5Last Week: Games played - 3; Games won - 3; Games lost - 0Overall: Games played - 43; Games won - 34; Games lost - 9Last Week: PPG - 8.7, APG - 2.3, RPG - 3.3Overall: PPG - 12.0, APG - 1.8, RPG - 3.9Last Week: FG% - 35.7%, 3P% - 21.4%, FT% - 100.0%Overall: FG% - 50.6%, 3P% - 38.6%, FT% - 84.9%The Phoenix Suns have been consistent all season and have won seven of their past eight games. The standout defensive play of young wing Mikal Bridges has been pivotal to that success.Phoenix Suns@SunsMikal took off like a missile in this one. @mikal_bridges x #NBAAllStar6:36 AM · Jan 11, 2022253120Mikal took off like a missile in this one. 🚀@mikal_bridges x #NBAAllStar https://t.co/7iVK2QkRSpAlthough he averages a steady 12.0 points per game, Bridges is known as one of the league's top defensive wings. The versatile small forward stands out with his ability to defend multiple positions at a high level. Bridges is averaging 3.9 rebounds per game and is shooting 38.6% from 3-point range.No. 4: Joel EmbiidPhiladelphia 76ers big man Joel EmbiidPrevious week’s NBA Sixth Man of the Year Power Ranking - #4Last Week: Games played - 4; Games won - 3; Games lost - 1Overall: Games played - 32; Games won - 22; Games lost - 10Last Week: PPG - 29.8, APG - 4.5, RPG - 9.8Overall: PPG - 27.3, APG - 4.2, RPG - 10.5Last Week: FG% - 54.3%, 3P% - 21.4%, FT% - 85.1%Overall: FG% - 48.4%, 3P% - 38.0%, FT% - 81.4%The Philadelphia 76ers (25-18) have won nine of their past 11 games and have rebounded fully from their 2-9 slump in November when they went 2-7 with superstar big man Joel Embiid sidelined with COVID-19. The dominant big man has impressed on both sides of the floor and has found himself as a rising candidate in the Defensive Player of the Year rankings.Philadelphia 76ers@sixers32 PTS | 12 REB | 3 ASTyet another reminder to RT and vote @JoelEmbiid for #NBAAllStar! presented by @PALottery9:12 AM · Jan 15, 20221621108032 PTS | 12 REB | 3 ASTyet another reminder to RT and vote @JoelEmbiid for #NBAAllStar! 🌟🎥 presented by @PALottery https://t.co/I9WWm2WbIJPhiladelphia is in sixth place in the East, but just 2.5 games from the lead. Embiid continues to be brilliant as he averaged 29.8 points and 9.8 rebounds per game in his last week.