Marcus Smart has been named the 2021-22 Kia NBA Defensive Player of the Year.

This marks the first NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award for Smart, who becomes the first guard to earn the honor since Gary Payton in the 1995-96 season. Smart is also the second player to win the award with the Celtics, joining Kevin Garnett (2007-08). 

Smart received 257 points (37 first-place votes) from a global panel of 100 sportswriters and broadcasters.  

Mikal Bridges finished in second place with 202 points (22 first-place votes).  

Three-tim Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert finished in third place with 136 points (12 first-place votes).