NBA Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) Power Rankings featuring Draymond Green, Giannis Antetokounmpo and more | January 12th, 2022

The Defensive Player of the Year race remains tight midway through the season.

The Phoenix Suns (31-9) and Golden State Warriors (30-10) continue to battle for top spot in the Western Conference. Meanwhile, the Utah Jazz (28-13) and Memphis Grizzlies (29-14) are breathing down their necks.

In the Eastern Conference, the Chicago Bulls (27-11), Brooklyn Nets (25-14) and Miami Heat (25-15) continue to fight to earn the number one seed.

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

---

No. 5: Mikal Bridges

Phoenix Suns wing Mikal Bridges

Previous week’s NBA DPOY Power Ranking - #5

Last Week: Games played - 3; Games won - 2; Games lost - 1

Overall: Games played - 40; Games won - 31; Games lost - 9

Last Week: PPG - 17.0, APG - 2.0, RPG - 2.3

Overall: PPG - 12.4, APG - 1.8, RPG - 3.9

Last Week: FG% - 58.3%, 3P% - 45.0%, FT% - 0.0%

Overall: FG% - 51.7%, 3P% - 39.6%, FT% - 85.1%

The Phoenix Suns have the league's best record. Although superstars Devin Booker and Chris Paul have led the way, young wing Mikal Bridges has drawn praise for his play on defense.

Bridges, in his fourth season, has built a reputation for his defensive presence. "Inspector Go Go Gadget" stands out with his versatility defensively, pairing his length and quickness to give the opposition trouble.

His last week of action saw Bridges average 17.0 points, 2.3 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game while shooting 58.3%, including 45.0% from 3-point range.

No. 4: Joel Embiid

Philadelphia 76ers big man Joel Embiid

Previous week’s NBA DPOY Power Ranking - #4

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

Overall: Games played - 28; Games won - 20; Games lost - 8

Last Week: PPG - 31.0, APG - 7.0, RPG - 10.7

Overall: PPG - 27.0, APG - 4.4, RPG - 10.6

Last Week: FG% - 52.3%, 3P% - 20.0%, FT% - 75.0%

Overall: FG% - 47.8%, 3P% - 38.5%, FT% - 81.4%

The Philadelphia 76ers (23-16) are on a seven-game win streak, and the team, as usual, continues to go as big man Joel Embiid goes. Philadelphia has won eight of its last ten games to move to fifth in the East – just two games out of second place.

Embiid can be one of the most dominant big men in the NBA when he's rolling. In his last week, Embiid averaged 31.0 points, 10.7 rebounds and 7.0 assists per game while shooting 52.3%. Embiid is also getting after it on the defense and is quickly trending upward in the DPOY conversation.

No. 3: Giannis Antetokounmpo

Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert

Previous week’s NBA DPOY Power Ranking - #3

Last Week: Games played - 3; Games won - 1; Games lost - 2

Overall: Games played - 34; Games won - 22; Games lost - 12

Last Week: PPG - 35.0, APG - 6.3, RPG - 9.7

Overall: PPG - 28.4, APG - 6.0, RPG - 11.4

Last Week: FG% - 56.9%, 3P% - 33.3%, FT% - 79.1%

Overall: FG% - 54.1%, 3P% - 28.4%, FT% - 70.0%

The Milwaukee Bucks (26-17) have won six of their past 10 games – but are 1-4 in their last four – and are fourth in the East. Superstar forward Giannis Antetokounmpo continues to be a steady force.

Antetokounmpo has continued to be a dominant two-way force. In his last week, Antetokounmpo put up some eye-opening numbers. The versatile superstar averaged 35.0 points, 9.7 rebounds and 6.3 assists per game while shooting 56.9%.

No. 2: Rudy Gobert

Previous week’s NBA DPOY Power Ranking - #2

Last Week: Games played - 1; Games won - 1; Games lost - 0

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

Last Week: PPG - 10.0, APG - 0.0, RPG - 17.0

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

Last Week: FG% - 37.5%, 3P% - N/A, FT% - 66.7%

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

The Utah Jazz are third in the West, continuing as one of the NBA's most solid teams. Veteran center Rudy Gobert has continued to be a big piece of Utah's success.

After an impressive 10-point, 17-rebound performance last week, Gobert entered the league's health and safety protocols. The Jazz have lost three of their last four games during Gobert's absence. Those struggles illustrate how important Gobert has been on both sides of the floor. He's averaged 15.5 points, 15.1 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game this season.

No. 1: Draymond Green

Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green

Previous week’s NBA DPOY Power Ranking - #1

Last Week: Games played - 3; Games won - 2; Games lost - 1

Overall: Games played - 34; Games won - 28; Games lost - 6

Last Week: PPG - 2.3, APG - 5.7, RPG - 3.7

Overall: PPG - 7.9, APG - 7.4, RPG - 7.6

Last Week: FG% - 33.3%, 3P% - 25.0%, FT% - N/A

Overall: FG% - 53.7%, 3P% - 28.6%, FT% - 59.7%

Another week of the Defensive Player of the Year power rankings finds Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green at the top spot. After putting together a number of impressive stretches recently, Green suffered an ankle injury and is expected to be day-to-day moving forward.

He missed a number of games last week and was only able to play sparingly last week against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Green has impressed with his defensive ability, and even though he missed time last week, he still holds a firm lead in the DPOY conversation.