In his second game on his new team, Jonas Valanciunas tallied six points, five rebounds, one assist, and one block in just under 14 minutes of action. However, those pedestrian numbers bely Valanciunas' footprint on that game.
Despite not even playing a third of the game, Valanciunas posted a team-best +18 plus-minus en route to his first win with the Kings – defeating the New Orleans Pelicans by a score of 123-118. For his efforts, Valanciunas received recognition in an area where he normally struggles.
Jonas Valanciunas was named Defensive Player of the Game
After the win that ended their two-game skid, the Kings honored Valanciunsa for his performance by quite literally crowning him the defensive player of the game.
big man sits on the throne 👑
— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) February 9, 2025
Defensive Player of the Game presented by @PhoongLawCorp pic.twitter.com/pxNaAMtaYS
Not only was this decision shocking because of how little Valanciunas played (although he played a big role in sealing the game down the stretch), but it was also surprising because Valanciunas has never been known to be a great defender.
Like his new teammate, Domantas Sabonis, Valanciunas doesn't have a ton of vertical pop when it comes to protecting the rim. According to Cleaning the Glass, Valanciunas has been above the league average in block rate among bigs just once since 2020-21. He was a better shot-blocker in his early years, but for the last half-decade, he's been more ground-bound.
Based on one-number metrics, Valanciunas isn't doing enough in other areas of defense to make up for his lack of rim protection. He's been in the 34th percentile or lower in Defensive Estimated Plus-Minus (DEF EPM) in each of the last three years (per Dunks & Threes).
To add to all that, this season, Valanciunas has the second-worst DEF EPM in the entire NBA this season, behind only Utah Jazz guard Keyonte George. A lot of that has to do with the poor infrastructure in place at his past employer (the rebuilding Washington Wizards), but, at the very least, it hammers home the sentiment that Valanciunas has not been a good defensive big in quite some time.
So, for him to be named the defensive player of the game in just his second game with his new team is a pleasant surprise, and maybe it's a sign that he is trying to turn a new leaf. The Kings sure could use the help on that end of the floor.