In a weekend filled with high-leverage basketball, the 2026 NBA playoffs are officially underway. That means we're closer to finding out the 2025-26 regular season award winners.The Oklahoma City Thunder had a handful of finalists announced. Shouldn't be a shocker.

They had an NBA-best 64-18 record and plus-11.1 point differential. After they picked up a 119-84 Game 1 win over the Phoenix Suns, they had their two All-Star representatives get love.Chet Holmgren was announced as a 2025-26 Defensive Player of the Year finalist. The other two were Victor Wembanyama and Ausar Thompson.

The award winner will be announced on Monday, Apr. 20.Holmgren enjoyed a career season. He averaged 17.1 points on 55.7% shooting, 8.9 rebounds and 1.7 assists. He shot 36.2% from 3 on 3.5 attempts.

He had 1.9 blocks and 0.6 steals. He played in 69 games.Reading the tea leaves, feels like Wembanyama will be the runaway DPOY winner. To the point that he could flirt with being unanimous.

Can't be too mad at that. He's ascended into one of the NBA's best players this season. Now, who finishes runner-up is more interesting.

Think Holmgren has a solid case.The Thunder have had the league-best defense once again. Comb through any defensive stats and they'll be at the top. That's how they won an NBA championship last season with the hopes of winning another this year. Holmgren is the face of that as one of the best rim protectors.Chet Holmgren is a finalist for 2025-26 Defensive Player of the Year pic.twitter.com/PpMeP2HGHZ— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) April 19, 2026This article originally appeared on OKC Thunder Wire: Chet Holmgren named as 2025-26 Defensive Player of the Year finalist