Phoenix Suns wing Mikal Bridges makes NBA All-Defensive first team

Duane Rankin, Arizona Republic
·2 min read

Mikal Bridges finishing second for NBA's Defensive Player of the Year set the stage for him making the league's All-Defensive team for the first time.

The Suns' wing made first team in his fourth NBA season out of Villanova.

A global panel of 100 media members voted for the first and second team based on play in the regular season.

Bridges played a major role in Phoenix finishing the regular season third in the league in defensive rating behind the Boston Celtics and Golden State Warriors.

Apr 26, 2022; Phoenix, Ariz, U.S.; Phoenix Suns forward Mikal Bridges (25) fights for the ball with New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram (14) during Game 5 of the Western Conference playoffs.
Apr 26, 2022; Phoenix, Ariz, U.S.; Phoenix Suns forward Mikal Bridges (25) fights for the ball with New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram (14) during Game 5 of the Western Conference playoffs.

Bridges is the first Suns player to make the league's All-Defensive team since Raja Bell made second team in the 2007-08 season.

Bell was the last Suns player to make first team in 2006-07 before Bridges earned the same honor this season.

Signing a four-year, $90-million rookie extension heading into this season, Bridges averaged a career-high 14.2 points on 53.4% shooting. He hasn't missed a game in his NBA career.

Shooting 36.9% from 3 and 83.4% from the line, Bridges averaged 4.2 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.2 steals.

Related: NBA Twitter raves about Mikal Bridges' Game 5 for Phoenix Suns vs. New Orleans Pelicans

May 12, 2022; Dallas, Texas; USA; Suns forward Mikal Bridges (25) defends Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) during game 6 of the second round of the Western Conference Playoffs.
May 12, 2022; Dallas, Texas; USA; Suns forward Mikal Bridges (25) defends Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) during game 6 of the second round of the Western Conference Playoffs.

Joining Bridges on NBA All-Defensive first team are Giannis Antetokounmpo (Bucks), Rudy Gobert (Jazz), Jaren Jackson Jr. (Grizzlies) and Marcus Smart (Celtics),who won this year's defensive player of the year.

Bridges received 95 of the 100 first-place votes.

Bam Adebayo (Heat), Jrue Holiday (Bucks), Matisse Thybulle (76ers), Robert Williams III (Celtics) and Draymond Green (Warriors) made second team.

Suns point guard Chris Paul received two first-place votes and 17 second-place votes while shooting guard Devin Booker and center Deandre Ayton each received one second-place vote. 

Have opinion about current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrankin@gannett.com or contact him at 480-787-1240. Follow him on Twitter at @DuaneRankin.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phoenix Suns' Mikal Bridges NBA All-Defensive first team selection