NBA Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) Power Rankings featuring Draymond Green, Giannis Antetokounmpo and more | January 5th, 2022

The race for the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year continues to heat up with each passing week.

The Golden State Warriors (29-7) and Phoenix Suns (29-8) continue to be the class of the Western Conference. Meanwhile, Ja Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies (25-14), who have won six games in a row, are scorching.

Out East, the Chicago Bulls (25-10), who have won eight games in a row, and the Brooklyn Nets (23-12) have been impressive. Right behind them are the Milwaukee Bucks (25-14) and Miami Heat (23-15).

It's time to take a look at the updated Defensive Player of the Year power rankings by Sportskeeda.

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No. 5: Mikal Bridges

Phoenix Suns young wing Mikal Bridges continues to impress as a Defensive Player of the Year candidate.

Previous week’s NBA Sixth Man of the Year Power Ranking - #5

Last Week: Games played - 4; Games won - 2; Games lost - 2

Overall: Games played - 37; Games won - 29; Games lost - 8

Last Week: PPG - 10.0, APG - 1.8, RPG - 4.3

Overall: PPG - 12.3, APG - 1.7, RPG - 4.0

Last Week: FG% - 50.0%, 3P% - 46.2%, FT% - N/A

Overall: FG% - 52.0%, 3P% - 40.9%, FT% - 84.8%

The Phoenix Suns are looking like the team that reached the NBA Finals last year, and young wing Mikal Bridges has been a key to that success.

While Phoenix has plenty of offensive stars, Bridges has dominated on defense. The lengthy wing often draws the assignment of guarding the opposing team's best players, making him valuable with his defensive versatility.

In his last week, Bridges averaged 10.0 points and 4.3 rebounds per game while shooting 50.0% (46.2% from 3-point range). He's going to be in the mix for DPOY throughout the season.

No. 4: Joel Embiid

Philadelphia 76ers superstar big man Joel Embiid has been on fire lately.

Previous week’s NBA Sixth Man of the Year Power Ranking - #4

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

Overall: Games played - 25; Games won - 17; Games lost - 8

Last Week: PPG - 35.0, APG - 2.5, RPG - 9.0

Overall: PPG - 26.5, APG - 4.2, RPG - 10.9

Last Week: FG% - 56.4%, 3P% - 62.5%, FT% - 80.8%

Overall: FG% - 47.4%, 3P% - 40.2%, FT% - 81.3%

Philadelphia 76ers big man Joel Embiid has been one of the NBA's most impressive players lately. Philadelphia (20-16) suffered a November swoon, losing eight of 10 games. That slide includes a 2-7 stretch with Embiid sidelined after testing positive for COVID-19. The 76ers have won four straight games, and Embiid has turned heads with his recent production.

In Embiid's last six games, he averaged 33.5 points, 11.0 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.5 steals and 2.0 blocks per game while shooting 55.0% (50.0% from 3-point range). Embiid has started to dominate on both sides of the floor again. If he can keep up this type of play, he's going to be a name that continues to heat up in the Defensive Player of the Year race.

No. 3: Giannis Antetokounmpo

Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo continues his march for Defensive Player of the Year.

Previous week’s NBA Sixth Man of the Year Power Ranking - #3

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

Overall: Games played - 31; Games won - 21; Games lost - 10

Last Week: PPG - 32.0, APG - 7.0, RPG - 11.3

Overall: PPG - 27.9, APG - 5.9, RPG - 11.0

Last Week: FG% - 59.3%, 3P% - 33.3%, FT% - 78.6%

Overall: FG% - 57.5%, 3P% - 25.0%, FT% - 75.6%

Although they have suffered puzzling losses to the New Orleans Pelicans and Detroit Pistions recently, the Milwaukee Bucks have won 19 of their past 25 games after a 6-8 start. Superstar forward Giannis Antetokounmpo has displayed his usual magnificence throughout the season. Milwaukee is 4-4 when playing without Antetokounmpo.

In his last week, Antetokounmpo averaged 32.0 points, 11.3 rebounds, 7.0 assists, 1.0 blocks and 1.3 steals per game. Antetokounmpo, the 2019-2020 DPOY, is in the mix for his second defensive trophy.

No. 2: Rudy Gobert

Utah Jazz big man Rudy Gobert

Previous week’s NBA Sixth Man of the Year Power Ranking - #2

Last Week: Games played - 4; Games won - 3; Games lost - 1

Overall: Games played - 37; Games won - 27; Games lost - 10

Last Week: PPG - 18.0, APG - 1.0, RPG - 15.5

Overall: PPG - 15.5, APG - 1.1, RPG - 15.1

Last Week: FG% - 73.5%, 3P% - N/A, FT% - 66.8%

Overall: FG% - 70.6%, 3P% - 0.0%, FT% - 68.3%

The Utah Jazz (27-10) are among the best teams in the West and, by extension, are among the league's best. They are third in the Western Conference.

Veteran big man Rudy Gobert has powered Utah's continued success. Always known for his ability as a shot blocker, Gobert has been a dominating force while rebounding this year as well.

In his last week, Gobert averaged 18.0 points, 15.5 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game. Utah has won seven of its last ten games. In his first eight seasons, "The Stifle Tower" has been the DPOY three times, made the All-Defensive team five times and led the league in blocks once (1016-17).

No. 1: Draymond Green

Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green has become a favorite for Defensive Player of the Year

Previous week’s NBA Sixth Man of the Year Power Ranking - #1

Last Week: Games played - N/A; Games won - N/A; Games lost - N/A

Overall: Games played - 32; Games won - 27; Games lost - 5

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

Overall: PPG - 8.3, APG - 7.7, RPG - 7.9

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

Overall: FG% - 54.3%, 3P% - 29.3%, FT% - 59.7%

The Golden State Warriors have been one of the NBA's most complete teams, combining a lethal offense with an impactful defense. Veteran forward Draymond Green is the leader behind that defensive effort.

Green missed the last week for the Warriors, but he's continued to be a favorite to run away with the Defensive Player of the Year award. Green has been sensational, doing a brilliant job of being versatile on both ends of the floor. Green is averaging 8.3 points, 7.9 rebounds, 7.7 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.3 blocks per game.