NBA Most Improved Player of the Year (MIP) Power Rankings featuring Ja Morant, Desmond Bane and more | January 6th, 2022

Desmond Bane and Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies.
Desmond Bane and Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies.

#3 Dejounte Murray

Dejounte Murray of the San Antonio Spurs.
Dejounte Murray of the San Antonio Spurs.

Previous week's NBA MIP Power Ranking - #3

Last Week: Games played - 1; Games won - 1; Games lost - 0

Overall: Games played - 32; Games won - 14; Games lost - 18

Last Week: PPG - 22.0, APG - 12.0, RPG - 9.0

Overall: PPG - 18.0, APG - 8.9, RPG - 8.4

Last Week: FG% - 52.4%, 3P% - 0.0%, SPG - 3.0

Overall: FG% - 44.2%, 3P% - 33.6, SPG - 2.0

Dejounte Murray made his return to the court on Wednesday against the Boston Celtics. Murray missed five games after entering the NBA's health and safety protocols last December 24th. The 25-year-old San Antonio Spurs star showed no rust in his first game back.

Murray led the Spurs to a 99-97 win over the Celtics. He finished with a near triple-double of 22 points, nine rebounds and 12 assists. Murray continues his breakout season and it won't be surprising to see him move past third place in the NBA's Most Improved Player power rankings in the coming weeks.


#2 Miles Bridges

Miles Bridges of the Charlotte Hornets.
Miles Bridges of the Charlotte Hornets.

Previous week's NBA MIP Power Ranking - #2

Last Week: Games played - 3; Games won - 1; Games lost - 2

Overall: Games played - 36; Games won - 18; Games lost - 19

Last Week: PPG - 17.3, APG - 3.3, RPG - 6.3

Overall: PPG - 19.5, APG - 3.7, RPG - 7.2

Last Week: FG% - 55.6%, 3P% - 38.5%, FT% - 63.6%

Overall: FG% - 47.7%, 3P% - 31.8%, FT% - 76.6%

Miles Bridges of the Charlotte Hornets remains in second place in this week's NBA Most Improved Player power rankings. Bridges played in three games last week, averaging 17.3 points, 6.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists. However, the Hornets only managed to win one out of three.

Bridges is the betting favorite to win Most Improved Player of the Year, but he has to show more if he really wants the award at the end of the season. Ja Morant is playing like a superstar at the moment and it would be hard to topple him in the MIP power rankings.


#1 Ja Morant

Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies.
Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies.

Previous week's NBA MIP Power Ranking - #1

Last Week: Games played - 3; Games won - 3; Games lost - 0

Overall: Games played - 27; Games won - 15; Games lost - 12

Last Week: PPG - 30.7, APG - 7.3, RPG - 5.7

Overall: PPG - 25.1, APG - 6.7, RPG - 5.7

Last Week: FG% - 57.4%, 3P% - 62.5%, FT% - 77.3%

Overall: FG% - 48.9%, 3P% - 40.0%, FT% - 77.2%

Ja Morant had another monster week for the Memphis Grizzlies. In three games that resulted in wins, Morant averaged 30.7 points, 5.7 rebounds and 7.3 assists. He was also efficient from the field at 57.4% and from beyond the arc at 62.5%.

There's no denying that Morant is becoming a superstar in front of our eyes. He's a surefire first-time All-Star this season as long as he remains healthy. He also remains number one in this week's NBA Most Improved Player power rankings.

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