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Comprehensive defensive metrics for all 30 teams
| # | Team | DRtg | Grade | Opp FG% | BLK | STL | TO Forced | Rim Protector | Perimeter | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 102.5 | A+ | 42.7% | 0.9 | 2 | 3.6 | Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | 57-15 | |
| 2 | 103.1 | A+ | 43% | 1.1 | 2.2 | 4 | Jayson Tatum | Jaylen Brown | 54-18 | |
| 3 | 103.7 | A+ | 43.2% | 0.4 | 1.8 | 3.2 | Donovan Mitchell | Donovan Mitchell | 52-20 | |
| 4 | 104.1 | A+ | 43.4% | 0.9 | 1.4 | 2.5 | Nikola Jokic | Nikola Jokic | 50-22 | |
| 5 | 104.3 | A+ | 43.7% | 1.4 | 2.2 | 4 | Giannis Antetokounmpo | Giannis Antetokounmpo | 48-24 | |
| 6 | 104.4 | A+ | 43.4% | 0.2 | 0.9 | 1.6 | Jalen Brunson | Jalen Brunson | 50-22 | |
| 7 | 104.4 | A+ | 43.6% | 0.5 | 1.3 | 2.3 | Anthony Edwards | Anthony Edwards | 49-23 | |
| 8 | 104.8 | A+ | 43.8% | 0.5 | 1.4 | 2.5 | Luka Doncic | Luka Doncic | 47-25 | |
| 9 | 105 | A | 43.9% | 0.7 | 1.2 | 2.2 | Tyrese Haliburton | Tyrese Haliburton | 46-26 | |
| 10 | 105 | A | 44.2% | 2.8 | 2.5 | 4.5 | Anthony Davis | LeBron James | 43-29 | |
| 11 | 105.2 | A | 44.1% | 1.5 | 1.9 | 3.4 | Kevin Durant | Devin Booker | 44-28 | |
| 12 | 105.6 | A | 44% | 0 | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | 45-27 | |
| 13 | 105.6 | A | 44% | 0 | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | 45-27 | |
| 14 | 105.8 | A | 44.1% | 0 | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | 44-28 | |
| 15 | 105.8 | A | 44.3% | 0.4 | 2 | 3.6 | De'Aaron Fox | De'Aaron Fox | 42-30 | |
| 16 | 105.9 | A | 44.4% | 1.7 | 1 | 1.8 | Joel Embiid | Joel Embiid | 41-31 | |
| 17 | 106.7 | A | 44.6% | 0 | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | 40-32 | |
| 18 | 106.7 | A | 44.7% | 0.4 | 0.7 | 1.3 | Stephen Curry | Stephen Curry | 39-33 | |
| 19 | 106.8 | A | 44.8% | 0.1 | 1.3 | 2.3 | Trae Young | Trae Young | 38-34 | |
| 20 | 107.3 | B+ | 44.9% | 0 | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | 37-35 | |
| 21 | 107.5 | B+ | 45% | 0 | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | 36-36 | |
| 22 | 107.5 | B+ | 45.1% | 0.3 | 0.8 | 1.4 | Ja Morant | Ja Morant | 35-37 | |
| 23 | 108.8 | B+ | 45.7% | 0 | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | 30-42 | |
| 24 | 109.2 | B | 45.9% | 0 | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | 28-44 | |
| 25 | 109.2 | B | 45.9% | 0 | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | 28-44 | |
| 26 | 109.6 | B | 46.1% | 0 | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | 26-46 | |
| 27 | 109.8 | B | 46.2% | 0 | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | 25-47 | |
| 28 | 110 | B | 46.3% | 0 | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | 24-48 | |
| 29 | 110.4 | B | 46.6% | 0 | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | 22-50 | |
| 30 | 110.8 | B | 46.8% | 0 | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | 20-52 |
Defense in the NBA is a symphony of individual effort and team coordination. The best defensive teams don't just have talented defenders — they have systems that maximize each player's strengths while hiding their weaknesses. Rim protection anchors the defense, while perimeter containment prevents the three-point barrages that define modern offense.
Some teams defend through shot-blocking and rim deterrence (a "wall" defense), while others specialize in active hands, switching, and forcing turnovers (a "swarm" defense). The most dangerous teams combine both, creating a multi-layered defensive identity that opponents struggle to crack.
Great defenses combine rim protection (blocking/altering shots near the basket), perimeter containment (preventing open threes), disciplined help defense (rotations and closeouts), and forced turnovers (steals and deflections).
The Oklahoma City Thunder lead with a 102.5 DRtg, earning an A+ defensive grade.
Points allowed is a raw total that doesn't account for pace. Defensive rating adjusts for possessions, showing how many points a team allows per 100 possessions. This makes it a fairer comparison between fast and slow teams.
Historically, top-5 defenses have won more championships than top-5 offenses. Playoff defense benefits from scouting, preparation, and the physical play officials allow. Offense can be disrupted, but defensive identity tends to hold.