NBA Most Improved Player of the Year: December 2nd, 2021 | Latest Power Rankings by Sportskeeda

As the 2021-22 NBA season enters the month of December, things are getting more exciting. The Phoenix Suns continue to roll with their winning streak, while the Brooklyn Nets are still the best team in the Eastern Conference.

Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers and Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets are back from injuries, while LeBron James of the LA Lakers enters the league's health and safety protocols. Injuries are starting to pile up in the league and it could have an impact on the race for the Most Improved Player of the Year Award.

Let's take a look and see if there are any changes for this week's Most Improved Player of the Year power rankings.

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#5 Dejounte Murray

Dejounte Murray of the San Antonio Spurs.

Previous week's NBA MIP Power Ranking - NA

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

Overall: Games played - 19; Games won - 6; Games lost - 13

Last Week: PPG - 25.5, APG - 7.0, RPG - 10.5

Overall: PPG - 19.1, APG - 8.1, RPG - 8.5

Last Week: FG% - 46.5%, FT% - 78.6%, SPG - 1.5

Overall: FG% - 44.6%, FT% - 70.0%, SPG - 2.0

Dejounte Murray of the San Antonio Spurs is back for this week's NBA Most Improved Player of the Year power rankings. Murray played in just two games last week, but he averaged 25.5 points, 10.5 rebounds and 7.0 assists. He also led San Antonio to a 2-0 week.

The Spurs might be in a rebuilding phase, but Murray is starting to show his potential. His defense has always been there and now his offense is starting to show. He's averaging a career high in scoring while also almost averaging a triple double. If Murray can have another great week, he could move higher on the list.

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#4 Jordan Poole

Jordan Poole of the Golden State Warriors.

Previous week's NBA MIP Power Ranking - #4

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

Overall: Games played - 21; Games won - 18; Games lost - 3

Last Week: PPG - 19.7, APG - 3.3, RPG - 3.3

Overall: PPG - 18.5, APG - 3.3, RPG - 3.1

Last Week: FG% - 46.5%, 3P% - 42.9%, SPG - 1.0

Overall: FG% - 45.6%, 3P% - 34.7%, SPG - 1.1

Jordan Poole continues to have a career year for the Golden State Warriors as he stays at fourth in this week's NBA Most Improved Player power rankings. Poole has solidified himself as a legitimate scoring option for the Warriors in the absence of Klay Thompson. He's averaging 18.5 points, 3.1 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game in his third NBA season.

Poole still needs to improve his shooting, but he can really shoot the ball when in rhythm. As the season progresses, there's a chance he'll improve as he continues to play alongside Steph Curry and the rest of the Warriors. The only adjustment he has to make is when Thompson returns from injury. Will Poole be as effective or will his confidence be affected?

#3 Tyler Herro

Tyler Herro of the Miami Heat.

Previous week's NBA MIP Power Ranking - #2

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

Overall: Games played - 19; Games won - 11; Games lost - 8

Last Week: PPG - 21.0, APG - 6.0, RPG - 1.0

Overall: PPG - 18.3, APG - 3.3, RPG - 3.1

Last Week: FG% - 39.1%, 3P% - 28.6%

Overall: FG% - 45.0%, 3P% - 39.3%

Tyler Herro of the Miami Heat slides down to number three for this week's NBA Most Improved Player power rankings. Herro managed to play just one game last week because of overall body soreness. He missed two games last week as the Heat continue to be one of the best NBA teams in the East this season.

Herro made his return on Wednesday against the Cleveland Cavaliers. With Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo out for the game, Herro was the Heat's number one option. In his first game back from injury, he scored 21 points with one rebound and six assists. If Herro can avoid another injury while Butler and Adebayo are out, there's a chance he'll move up in next week's NBA Most Improved Player power rankings.

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#2 Miles Bridges

Miles Bridges of the Charlotte Hornets.

Previous week's NBA MIP Power Ranking - #3

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

Overall: Games played - 24; Games won - 13; Games lost - 11

Last Week: PPG - 17.8, APG - 1.5, RPG - 7.3

Overall: PPG - 18.3, APG - 3.3, RPG - 3.1

Last Week: FG% - 55.3%, 3P% - 38.1%, FT% - 78.6%

Overall: FG% - 45.6%, 3P% - 32.3%, FT% - 75.5%

Miles Bridges of the Charlotte Hornets moves back into second place in this week's NBA Most Improved Player power rankings. Bridges had a bounce-back performance last week, averaging 17.8 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.5 assists while shooting 55.3% from the field and 38.1% from beyond the arc.

Even though the Hornets lost three of their four games last week, Bridges continues his impressive season. He's still shooting the ball extremely well and has become Charlotte's second option on offense. If he maintains his production next week, there's a chance he'll be at the top of the NBA Most Improved Player power rankings.

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#1 Ja Morant

Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies.

Previous week's NBA MIP Power Ranking - #1

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

Overall: Games played - 19; Games won - 9; Games lost - 10

Last Week: PPG - 2.0, APG - 1.0, RPG - 1.0

Overall: PPG - 24.1, APG - 6.8, RPG - 5.6

Last Week: FG% - 0.0%, 3P% - 0.0, FT% - 100.0%

Overall: FG% - 47.6%, 3P% - 35.6%, FT% - 77.7%

Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies barely hangs on to the top spot in this week's NBA Most Improved Player power rankings. Morant suffered a left knee sprain in the game against the Atlanta Hawks and he's expected to miss at least a few weeks.

The Grizzlies will be careful regarding Morant's return after getting hurt. He was extremely lucky not to suffer a really serious knee injury. With Morant missing more games moving forward, there's a chance that a new player will be in the top spot in next week's NBA Most Improved Player power rankings.