Chet Holmgren named as 2025-26 Defensive Player of the Year finalist

In a weekend filled with high-leverage basketball, the 2026 NBA playoffs are officially underway. That means we're closer to finding out the 2025-26 regular season award winners. The Oklahoma City Thunder had a handful of finalists announced.

Shouldn't be a shocker. They had an NBA-best 64-18 record and plus-11. 1 point differential.

After they picked up a 119-84 Game 1 win over the Phoenix Suns, they had their two All-Star representatives get love. Chet Holmgren was announced as a 2025-26 Defensive Player of the Year finalist. The other two were Victor Wembanyama and Ausar Thompson.

The award winner will be announced on Monday, Apr. 20. Holmgren enjoyed a career season.