The NBA named San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama the Western Conference Defensive Player of the Month and Detroit Pistons wing Ausar Thompson the Eastern Conference Defensive Player of the Month for January.
Wembanyama missed San Antonio’s first two games of the month but appeared in the next 13, averaging 8.2 defensive rebounds and 2.2 blocks. Both marks ranked second among Western Conference players in January. During that stretch the Spurs posted a league-best 107.5 defensive rating in the West while going 7-6 overall.
Because the 7-foot-4 rookie has played in 35 of the Spurs’ first 49 games, he must suit up for at least 30 of the final 33 contests to remain eligible for end-of-season honors, including Defensive Player of the Year.
Other Western Conference nominees were Clippers guards Kris Dunn and Kawhi Leonard, Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert, Suns guard Jordan Goodwin, Thunder big man Chet Holmgren, and Rockets guard Amen Thompson.
In the East, Thompson led the NBA in January with 2.4 steals per game while adding 4.2 deflections across 14 starts. Detroit went 10-4, topping the league with a 104.8 defensive rating.
Eastern Conference nominees included Knicks forward OG Anunoby, Hawks guard Dyson Daniels, Cavaliers big man Evan Mobley, Warriors center Alex Sarr, and Pistons forward Isaiah Stewart, who claimed the honor in December.
This is only the second season the monthly defensive award has been presented. Wembanyama, also honored in November 2024, is now a two-time recipient, while Thompson receives the accolade for the first time.
Source: Hoops Rumors
