Victor Wembanyama continues to take pole position in the 2025-26 NBA Defensive Player of the Year race. Despite the San Antonio Spurs’ 1-2 record last week after a 4-0 start, the Frenchman remains the clear favorite for the DPOY award. While Wemby enjoys another week at the top, there are some changes in the rest of the top 5.

Sitting out for a second straight game, Chet Holmgren has missed his first action of the 2025-26 regular season with lower back soreness. The 23-year-old previously played through the ailment in a win over the Dallas Mavericks on Monday.

Chet Holmgren remains sidelined with lower back soreness for the second consecutive game, but Thunder coach Mark Daigneault isn't concerned about the OKC center's absence.

NBA Insider Reveals Chet Holmgren's Championship Acting as Secret Motivational Pill for Victor Wembanyama: "One up on him"

The Thunder center played his first set of back-to-back games since October, scoring 21 points in 30 minutes. He will need to utilize this to unlock consistency

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 121-92 victory over Luka Doncic and the Los Angeles Lakers in their Western Conference matchup on Wednesday. The Thunder pummeled the Lakers,