NBA Most Improved Player of the Year (MIP) Power Rankings featuring Ja Morant, Miles Bridges and more | December 23rd, 2021

#3 Ja Morant

Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies

Previous week's NBA MIP Power Ranking - #3

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

Overall: Games played - 20; Games won - 9; Games lost - 11

Last Week: PPG - 16.0, APG - 8.0, RPG - 6.0

Overall: PPG - 23.7, APG - 6.9, RPG - 5.6

Last Week: FG% - 50.0%, 3P% - 100.0, FT% - 60.0%

Overall: FG% - 47.7%, 3P% - 36.4%, FT% - 76.9%

Ja Morant made his return to the NBA after a 12-game absence due to a sprained left knee last Monday against the OKC Thunder. Morant played just 28 minutes as the Memphis Grizzlies eased him back into their rotation. He ended the game with 16 points, six rebounds and eight assists.

The Grizzlies went 10-2 during Morant's absence, and lost 102-99 to the tanking Thunder on his return. It also didn't help that Morant was heckled by some Grizzlies fans during the game. Nevertheless, Morant did enough last week to remain third in this week's NBA Most Improved Player power rankings.

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#2 Dejounte Murray

Dejounte Murray of the San Antonio Spurs

Previous week's NBA MIP Power Ranking - #2

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

Overall: Games played - 30; Games won - 12; Games lost - 18

Last Week: PPG - 21.7, APG - 11.0, RPG - 9.7

Overall: PPG - 18.1, APG - 8.6, RPG - 8.4

Last Week: FG% - 49.1%, 3P% - 41.7%, SPG - 2.7

Overall: FG% - 44.6%, 3P% - 34.7, SPG - 2.0.

Dejounte Murray continues to have a breakout season for the San Antonio Spurs. Murray averaged 21.7 points, 9.7 rebounds and 11.0 assists per game last week, registering two triple doubles in three games. He already has six triple doubles this season, which is tied for the most this season with reigning NBA MVP Nikola Jokic.

Murray also helped the Spurs to a 2-1 record last week. In the 116-92 win over the LA Clippers last Tuesday, the 25-year-old guard put up 24 points, 12 rebounds and 13 assists. He became the second Spurs player ever to registered more than ten career triple doubles. He's still in second spot for this week's NBA Most Improved Player of the Year power rankings.

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#1 Miles Bridges

Miles Bridges of the Charlotte Hornets

Previous week's NBA MIP Power Ranking - #1

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

Overall: Games played - 33; Games won - 16; Games lost - 17

Last Week: PPG - 20.3, APG - 5.0, RPG - 7.3

Overall: PPG - 19.8, APG - 3.8, RPG - 7.3

Last Week: FG% - 50.0%, 3P% - 23.5%, FT% - 100.0%

Overall: FG% - 47.3%, 3P% - 32.0%, FT% - 77.7%

Miles Bridges remains at number one in this week's NBA Most Improved Player of the Year power rankings. Bridges has become the primary scorer for the Charlotte Hornets, hitting shots at 50.0% last week.

Bridges is averaging 19.8 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.8 assists this season. The athletic wingman has developed his game massively, and that's showing this season. If Bridges can keep it up and the Hornets make the playoffs, there's a real possibility that he could be named the Most Improved Player of the year this season.