5 best defensive players in the 2021 NBA Playoffs so far

#3 Kawhi Leonard

Kawhi Leonard has also had his share of injury trouble and sat out of the Clippers’ first two matches against the Phoenix Suns. However, Leonard was selected in the All-NBA First team as well as the All-Defensive second team and has been a consistent menace defensively in the NBA Playoffs so far as well.

Dallas Mavericks v Los Angeles Clippers - Game Two

Leonard has averaged more than two steals per game through the playoffs along with around seven defensive rebounds and is the best player on the LA Clippers’ roster comprehensively. The Clippers have struggled for large periods of the two matches defensively and are arguably the best two-way player in the NBA Playoffs this season.

#2 Rudy Gobert

Defensive player of the year for the third time in his career, Rudy Gobert produced a whopping three blocks and 12.9 defensive rebounds through the playoffs.

Rudy Gobert is the 2020-21 DPOY 👏He’s only the 4th player in NBA history to win the award three times. pic.twitter.com/4HUFDKaFun

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 10, 2021

Gobert’s defensive performances were crucial to the Utah Jazz’s success through the season as he averaged a double-double through the Playoffs. Gobert was also the Utah Jazz’s second most prolific scorer through the playoffs and averaged 21.5 points. Regardless, he finished second only because the Utah Jazz were knocked out.

#1 Giannis Antetokounmpo

Even in matches where Giannis was not at his best offensively or with his shooting, he was everywhere for the Milwaukee Bucks defensively. That's something the numbers prove as well. Giannis leads the NBA Playoffs in terms of defensive rating and defensive win-share, and has produced 14 rebounds per game, the most in the NBA Playoffs thus far.

Atlanta Hawks v Milwaukee Bucks - Game One

The Greak Freak might have lost out on the MVP for what would have been his third consecutive award. But he has been at his best defensively and has averaged more than 11 defensive rebounds with one block and slightly less than one steal per game. The Milwaukee Bucks might have lost game 1 against the Hawks, but with the likes of Giannis, Jrue Holiday and Khris Middleton in their ranks, they look perfectly capable of winning the championship this season.