NBA Defensive Rating Leaders 2025-26: Best Defenses and Why They Work
Defense wins championships. It's a cliché because it's true — the last 10 NBA champions all had top-10 defenses. Here are the best defenses in the 2025-26 season and what makes them elite.
1. OKC Thunder — 105.2 DRtg
The Thunder have the best defense in the NBA, and it starts with their length. Chet Holmgren (7-1), SGA (6-6), and their wing defenders create a wall of arms that contests every shot. Their switching scheme is the best in the league — they can switch 1-through-5 without creating mismatches because every player is long enough to guard multiple positions.
Holmgren is the anchor. His 2.8 blocks per game and ability to protect the rim while also stepping out to contest threes makes him the most versatile defensive center in the league. The Thunder's defensive rating with Holmgren on the court is 102.1 — elite by any standard.
2. Minnesota Timberwolves — 106.1 DRtg
The Wolves' defense is built around Rudy Gobert's rim protection. Gobert is a 4-time Defensive Player of the Year, and his presence in the paint forces opponents to take difficult mid-range shots instead of easy layups. Anthony Edwards has also become an elite perimeter defender, using his athleticism to stay in front of the quickest guards.
3. Boston Celtics — 106.8 DRtg
The Celtics are the only team in the top 5 in both offensive and defensive rating. Their defense is built on versatility — every player can switch, every player can contest shots, and their team defense rotations are the best in the league. Jrue Holiday and Derrick White are the best defensive backcourt in basketball.
4. Cleveland Cavaliers — 107.2 DRtg
Evan Mobley is the Cavaliers' defensive engine. His ability to guard 1-through-5, block shots, and recover on rotations makes him the most versatile defender in the league. Jarrett Allen provides additional rim protection, giving the Cavs a twin-tower defense that's nearly impossible to score on in the paint.
What makes elite defense?
The best defenses in 2025-26 share common traits: switchability (every player can guard multiple positions), rim protection (a shot-blocking center who deters drives), and communication (players talking on every possession to prevent breakdowns). Individual talent matters, but team defense is what separates good from great.