NBA Most Improved Player of the Year (MIP) Power Rankings featuring Mikal Bridges, Tyrese Haliburton, and more

The 2022-23 NBA season is almost coming to a close, and the competition for this season's Most Improved Player of the Year award has become tighter. Players are making a final push to win and prove how much they've improved since last season.

For this month's edition of the Most Improved Player of the Year power rankings, there have been the usual faces who have stayed consistent. Additionally, there are new candidates who have been making a buzz, who could make the competition much tighter.

Here are the players who are in the running to win the Most Improved Player of the Year award.

Also read: Kia NBA ROTY Race: Latest ROTY ladder and power rankings feat. Walker Kessler, Paolo Banchero and more | March 1, 2022-23 NBA Season

#5, Mikal Bridges

Previous month's NBA MIP Power Ranking - N/A

Last Week: Games played - 4; Games won - 1; Games lost - 3

Overall: Games played - 66; Games won - 34; Games lost - 32

Last Week: PPG - 28.5, APG - 3.8, RPG - 5.0

Overall: PPG - 18.6, APG - 3.5, RPG - 4.5

Last Week: FG% - 54.3%, 3P% - 47.6%, SPG - 1.5

Overall: FG% - 47.5%, 3P% - 40.3%, SPG - 1.2

Since getting traded by the Phoenix Suns last month, Mikal Bridges has taken his game to the next level, making him an MIP candidate. The Brooklyn Nets are without a star, which has given Bridges an opportunity to take over the offense.

His past three games have been impressive, all 30-point efforts, which could validate his case for winning the Most Improved Player of the Year award.

#4, Tyrese Haliburton

Previous month's NBA MIP Power Ranking - N/A

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

Overall: Games played - 53; Games won - 27; Games lost - 26

Last Week: PPG - 32, APG - 6, RPG - 7

Overall: PPG - 20.6, APG - 10.3, RPG - 3.7

Last Week: FG% - 50%, 3P% - 33.3%, SPG - 0.0

Overall: FG% - 48.9%, 3P% - 40.7%, SPG - 1.7

Coming off his first All-Star Game appearance, Tyrese Haliburton has been incredible for the Indiana Pacers this season. Haliburton is averaging 20.6 points and 10.3 assists, showing his consistency at an all-time level.

Winning the Most Improved Player of the Year award could be the cherry on top of his outstanding 2022-23 campaign.

#3, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Previous month's NBA MIP Power Ranking - #2

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

Overall: Games played - 56; Games won - 27; Games lost - 29

Last Week: PPG - 0.0, APG - 0.0, RPG - 0.0

Overall: PPG - 31.2, APG - 5.7, RPG - 4.8

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

Overall: FG% - 51%, 3P% - 34.2%, SPG - 1.7

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has fallen off the rankings, though not by a lot. He's still an effective piece of the OKC Thunder's offense, as he's still averaging 31.2 ppg.

Fans won't be disappointed if SGA takes home the Most Improved Player of the Year award this season with his performances.

#2, Jalen Brunson

Previous month's NBA MIP Power Ranking - #3

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

Overall: Games played - 61; Games won - 36; Games lost - 25

Last Week: PPG - 27.0, APG - 5.7, RPG - 3.7

Overall: PPG - 23.9, APG - 6.2, RPG - 3.6

Last Week: FG% - 63.6%, 3P% - 47.1%, SPG - 1.0

Overall: FG% - 48.7%, 3P% - 41.1%, SPG - 0.9

The New York Knicks are on their way back to the postseason thanks to the heroics of Jalen Brunson. Brunson's on-court brilliance has turned things around for New York.

He wasn't named an All-Star this season, but he could be named the Most Improved Player of the Year this season.

#1, Lauri Markkanen

Previous month's NBA MIP Power Ranking - #1

Last Week: Games played - 2; Games won - 0; Games lost - 2

Overall: Games played - 59; Games won - 29; Games lost - 30

Last Week: PPG - 24.0, APG - 1.5, RPG - 10.0

Overall: PPG - 25.3, APG - 1.8, RPG - 8.5

Last Week: FG% - 42.9%, 3P% - 30.8%, SPG - 0.5

Overall: FG% - 51.2%, 3P% - 40.8%, SPG - 0.6

If there's one choice that most fans can agree on, it's that Lauri Markkanen could end the season as the Most Improved Player of the Year. Looking at the Utah Jazz, they started off hot but cooled down along the way.