Rudy Gobert secures his fourth Defensive Player of the Year award, with Victor Wembanyama, a rookie, coming in second and showing promise for future opportunities.

By the Numbers
  • Gobert: 72 first-place votes
  • Wembanyama: 19 votes for DPOY
Yes, But

Wembanyama, despite leading in certain defensive stats, fell short in key categories considered by voters, making Gobert the ultimate winner.

State of Play
  • Gobert tied with Mutombo and Wallace for most DPOY wins in NBA history
  • Gobert led in contested shots, defensive win shares, and individual defensive rating
What's Next

Gobert's dominance in defense is likely to secure him a spot on the NBA All-Defensive First Team for the seventh time, while Wembanyama shows promise for future success.

Bottom Line

Despite fierce competition, Gobert's consistent excellence in defense earns him another DPOY title, setting a benchmark for aspiring defensive stars like Wembanyama.