Image Credit - BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK

“I deserve it” – Lu Dort on the 2025 Defensive player of the year award

Luguentz Dort has also added his case for the 2025 Defensive Player of the Year award.

Image Credit - BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK

After Victor Wembanyama’s injury, the Defensive Player of the Year race is wide open. Jaren Jackson Jr. of the Memphis Grizzlies and Evan Mobley of the Cleveland Cavaliers have emerged as the favorites. Several candidates are making strong cases for the DPOY trophy, and it remains to be seen who will win the 2025 DPOY award.

Luguentz Dort has also added his case for the 2025 Defensive Player of the Year award. The Thunder small-forward believes that he guards the toughest matchups every night. He also hints the work he does day in and day out deserves to be Defensive Player of the Year or All-Defense first team.

“If you ask me if I deserve it, I would say yes, just because of what I bring every night, all the matchups that I got to face every night. But all that would be a goal of mine.”

Lu Dort believes that he deserves DPOY

“Honestly , the biggest goal is to go out there and perform every night for my teammates. But it will always be nice to get rewarded for the hard work that I do on the court, which would probably be Defensive Player of the Year or first… pic.twitter.com/yhgLEZ94rN
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) February 22, 2025

Lu Dort has been the primary defender on 2669 shots by the opposition player and has allowed 1170 shots. The above statement explains that the opposition players shoot 43.8% when Lu Dort is the primary defender.

Over 107 players have been the primary defender on 2500 field-goal attempts by the opposition. However, Lu Dort allows the second least field-goal percentage (43.8%) when being the primary defender. His teammate, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ranks number one with 42.8%.

Who is the favorite for the 2025 DPOY trophy?

According to the odds, Jaren Jackson Jr. leads the race for the 2025 DPOY after Victor Wembanyama was ruled out due to an injury. Evan Mobley follows closely as the second favorite, with Lu Dort and Dyson Daniels rounding out the top contenders.

Jaren Jackson Jr. – Memphis Grizzlies – +100
Evan Mobley – Cleveland Cavaliers – +145
Luguentz Dort – Oklahoma City Thunder – +1200
Dyson Daniels – Atlanta Hawks – +2200
Ivan Zubac – Los Angeles Clippers – +2200

Luguentz Dort

NBA 2024-25

Oklahoma City Thunder

Suryansh Kumar

NBA/WNBA Writer

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Hello, my name is Suryansh, and I write NBA/WNBA content for ThePlayoffs. I love sports, which is why I write and I love the NBA because of the stats. My aim is to find unique stats and perspectives to provide my readers with another angle on sports.