For winning category leagues, finding players who consistently provide NBA player stats in both steals and blocks is crucial for your fantasy basketball team. This article highlights ten versatile players currently averaging at least 1.0 steals and 1.0 blocks per game, making them highly valuable two-way assets. From established stars like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Alperen Sengun to breakout performers like Mikal Bridges and Scottie Barnes, these players offer multi-category production that is difficult to find. We also analyze the impressive leaps by Peyton Watson, who benefits from recent NBA injuries to key Nuggets defenders, and Kel'el Ware, whose defensive improvements are pairing nicely with his offensive potential.
Top NBA Players Averaging 1+ Steals & 1+ Blocks
Mikal Bridges already has a reputation as one of the league's best iron men and as a player that can contribute on both ends of the court. However, he is finding new ways to impress in his eighth season, namely by averaging career highs in rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks per game. He is also shooting an impressive 53.9 percent from the field, while knocking down an average of 2.5 three-pointers per game. His 2.1 steals per game rank third in the league, as his defensive abilities combined with a healthy 17.1 points per game make him one of the best two-way players in the game, and an essential part of the Knicks' recent success.
Derrick White has been emerging as one of the most productive guards in the league over
For winning category leagues, finding players who consistently provide NBA player stats in both steals and blocks is crucial for your fantasy basketball team. This article highlights ten versatile players currently averaging at least 1.0 steals and 1.0 blocks per game, making them highly valuable two-way assets. From established stars like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Alperen Sengun to breakout performers like Mikal Bridges and Scottie Barnes, these players offer multi-category production that is difficult to find. We also analyze the impressive leaps by Peyton Watson, who benefits from recent NBA injuries to key Nuggets defenders, and Kel'el Ware, whose defensive improvements are pairing nicely with his offensive potential.
Top NBA Players Averaging 1+ Steals & 1+ Blocks
Mikal Bridges already has a reputation as one of the league's best iron men and as a player that can contribute on both ends of the court. However, he is finding new ways to impress in his eighth season, namely by averaging career highs in rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks per game. He is also shooting an impressive 53.9 percent from the field, while knocking down an average of 2.5 three-pointers per game. His 2.1 steals per game rank third in the league, as his defensive abilities combined with a healthy 17.1 points per game make him one of the best two-way players in the game, and an essential part of the Knicks' recent success.
Derrick White has been emerging as one of the most productive guards in the league over the last couple of seasons, especially thanks to his efforts on the defensive side of the floor. Some of his numbers have taken a dip early this season compared to last; most notably, his shooting percentage is sitting at just 37.0, down from 44.2 last season. On the other hand, he has stepped things up with career highs of 1.7 steals and 1.3 blocks per game. White must continue to strive for new heights, as he is one of the players the Celtics are leaning on most in the absence of Jayson Tatum.
Myles Turner is doing his job on the defensive end for his new squad, averaging 1.0 steals and 1.7 blocks per game. If he hangs on, it would be the first time in his career that he averaged over 0.9 steals per game. On the contrary, he is down from his 2024-25 average of 2.0 blocks per game, a mark that he has reached in six of the previous seven seasons. His scoring numbers are also down compared to the previous five seasons, as it is his efficiency that is failing him, with his 43.6 percent shooting this season being the lowest of his career.
Scottie Barnes is on a heater to begin his fifth NBA season, averaging career highs of 20.3 points on 51.5 percent shooting and 84.7 percent from the foul line. His efforts also translate to the defensive side, where he is averaging career highs of 1.4 steals and 1.6 blocks per game. With Barnes' 6-foot-7 frame, his improving offensive skillset is a major threat to opponents, but his energy and willingness to get after it defensively are playing a large role in him becoming one of the most impactful players in the game. He has the benefit of working within a talented starting five and is likely to continue to stuff the stat sheet with his infectious energy as a driving force.
Evan Mobley is the league's reigning Defensive Player of the Year and is living up to the title again this season, averaging a career-high 1.0 steals, along with 1.6 blocks per game, which is just below his career high of 1.7 set in his rookie season. He is also expanding his game beyond the arc, averaging a career-high 4.3 three-point attempts per game, resulting in a career-best 1.6 made threes. However, his changing shot selection is harming his field-goal percentage, as he is down to a career-low 49.8 percent.
Kel'el Ware is showing significant improvement in his second season, averaging career highs in points, rebounds, steals, blocks and three-pointers per game. He is emerging as one of the league's more notable big men with his ability to impact the game on the glass and the defensive end, averaging 10.6 rebounds, 1.0 steals and 1.3 blocks per game. He also is showing flashes of offensive potential, reaching the 20-point mark three times in his 21 appearances on the season. Additionally, he is showing a major improvement at the foul line, hitting 80.5 percent this season, up from 68.7 in 2024-25.
Peyton Watson is showing an impressive step forward in his fourth season, averaging new highs in points, rebounds, assists, steals, three-pointers made, field-goal and free-throw percentage, along with an increase of just over two minutes per game. His defensive impact includes 1.0 steals and 1.1 blocks per game, which has been critical in the absences of key defenders Aaron Gordon and Christian Braun, who have been sidelined since mid-November and will remain out until the new year. Watson should continue to see ample room to shine in the meantime and will surely remain a key part of the rotation at full strength.
Andrew Wiggins is quietly off to a strong start to his first full season with the Heat, averaging 17.5 points on a career-best 49.6 percent shooting in 33.1 minutes per game. He is also averaging 5.1 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.1 steals, and a career-best 1.1 blocks per game. His ability to step up in different ways helps keep things rolling offensively and delivers momentum-changing plays on the defensive end. His experience is also a valuable part of what he brings to the floor, making him a go-to option in any situation.
Alperen Sengun is one of the league's most offensively gifted big men, averaging a career-best 22.8 points on 50.2 percent shooting in his fifth season. His 9.1 rebounds per game are good for his position, his 7.3 assists are great, but his 1.2 steals and 1.1 blocks per game take his impact to another level. The Rockets continue to stand out as one of the league's best defensive teams, with his contributions being a serious factor. With a talented lineup around him that can help continue to create open looks, finish plays and pressure attackers, Sengun is set up to continue to grow in a constructive environment.
Giannis Antetokounmpo has been doing it all for a long time, this being his fourth straight season averaging at least 30.0 points, 10.0 rebounds and 5.5 assists. His 1.0 steals and 1.0 blocks per game are also in line with his past performance, as he has averaged at least one steal and one block in eight of his 12 completed seasons. Despite his heroic efforts, the Bucks are struggling with a 2-8 record over the last 10 games. His production is likely to remain at the highest levels while he is the focal point on both ends of the floor, and with his play style being such that he can act as a one-man show with his ability to get the stop, push the ball up the floor and finish with an assist or basket all in a matter of seconds.
