Chet Holmgren finish runner-up for 2025-26 Defensive Player of the Year

OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - JANUARY 13: Chet Holmgren #7 of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs battle for a rebound during the first half at Paycom Center on January 13, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joshua Gateley/Getty Images)

Now that the 2026 NBA playoffs are underway, the league has trickled out its award winners. First up was the 2025-26 Defensive Player of the Year. The Oklahoma City Thunder had some interest in it as Chet Holmgren was named a finalist. The other two were Victor Wembanyama and Ausar Thompson.

The NBA announced the 2025-26 Defensive Player of the Year winner on Monday. Holmgren finished runner-up for the prestigious award. Unsurprisingly, Wembanyama ran away with it as the first unanimous winner in league history.

Wembanyama finished with 500 voting points. He had 100 first-place votes. Holmgren finished with 239 voting points. He had 76 second-place and 11 third-place votes. Cason Wallace also received votes and finished in seventh place with eight voting points. He had two second-place and two third-place votes.

Holmgren enjoyed a career season. He averaged 17.1 points on 55.7% shooting, 8.9 rebounds and 1.7 assists. He shot 36.2% from 3 on 3.5 attempts. He had 1.9 blocks and 0.6 steals. He played in 69 games.