Overview
- Barnes led Toronto to a 14-7 start with the NBA’s No. 6 defensive rating (111.5) over the award window.
- He was the only player to record at least 30 steals and 30 blocks in October/November and logged 4.0 deflections per game, fourth in the East.
- Oklahoma City went 20-1 with a league-best 103.6 defensive rating as Wallace averaged 2.2 steals and a West-high 5.0 deflections per game.
- These are the first monthly defensive awards for both players since the NBA introduced the honor last season.
- The NBA’s nominee list included Evan Mobley, Bam Adebayo, Dyson Daniels and Isaiah Stewart in the East, with Luguentz Dort, Chet Holmgren and Amen Thompson in the West.