NBA announces All-Defensive Teams

The National Basketball Association announced its All-Defensive Teams on Friday night, with Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs securing the only unanimous selection for the First Team. The Spurs center, who was also named the unanimous Defensive Player of the Year, led the league in blocks per game at 3.1 for a third consecutive season. He was joined on the First Team by Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren, Detroit Pistons guard Ausar Thompson, Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert, and Boston Celtics guard Derrick White.

Holmgren and Thompson finished second and third, respectively, in the Defensive Player of the Year voting. Holmgren anchored the Thunder’s top-rated team defence, averaging 1.9 blocks per game, while Thompson averaged a league-leading two steals per game. The recognition for Wembanyama follows his performance in the Western Conference Finals against the Thunder, where he demonstrated significant impact despite the Spurs’ eventual series loss.

The All-Defensive Second Team included OG Anunoby of the New York Knicks, Cason Wallace of the Thunder, Bam Adebayo of the Miami Heat, Dyson Daniels of the Atlanta Hawks, and Scottie Barnes of the Toronto Raptors. Wallace led the league in steals and deflections, while Anunoby served as the linchpin of New York’s defence throughout the regular season and playoffs.

Rudy Gobert earned his eighth All-Defensive First Team selection, marking his ninth overall honour, and helped keep Minnesota inside the top 10 in league defence. Bam Adebayo received his fifth Second Team selection, continuing his status as one of the league’s most versatile defensive bigs. Derrick White contributed to Boston finishing fourth in defensive rating this season.

The NBA will announce its All-NBA selections on Sunday and its Coach of the Year award on Tuesday to round out its end-of-season honours.