NBA 2019-20: Rookie of the Year Power Rankings Week 15

Zion Williamson finally made his long-awaited debut for the New Orleans Pelicans last week following a lengthy injury layoff. As the most talked-about rookie to enter the league since a certain LeBron James, Williamson's debut created plenty of excitement around the NBA - and also injected a much-needed boost into the race to be named 2020 Rookie of the Year.

For much of the first half of the season, the same few individuals were battling to succeed Luka Doncic as the best rookie in the league and needless to say, Williamson's return was a welcome addition. So, as we head into Week 15 of the 2019-20 season, here we will take a look at the latest Rookie of the Year Power Rankings.

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#5 Michael Porter Jr. - Denver Nuggets

Porter Jr's impact on the Denver Nuggets continues to grow

Michael Porter Jr. was selected with the 14th overall pick by the Denver Nuggets back in 2018, and after missing the entire 18-19 campaign due to injury, the 21-year-old is finally making an impact in the NBA. Due to Denver's depth and ongoing concerns regarding his back injury, Porter Jr.'s minutes were low throughout the first few months of the season, and his season averages of 7.7 points and 4.0 rebounds per contest don't exactly jump off the page.

However, Porter Jr. averaged another double-double last week - and over his last 10 appearances - he has averaged 12.7 points, 7.3 rebounds in just 21.6 minutes. Porter Jr. dropped 17 points in just 24 minutes against the Rockets on Sunday, and he is now shooting 52.2 percent from the field, and a ridiculous 42.9 percent from beyond the arc. The small forward's health will be key, although his impact on the Nuggets is only growing, and he is a player to watch over the coming weeks.

#4 Zion Williamson - New Orleans Pelicans

Zion Williamson made an immediate impact for the Pelicans in Week 14

Zion Williamson has spent just 66 minutes on an NBA court, although the 19-year-old was nothing short of sensational during his first week in the league. In his debut against the Spurs, Williamson scored a ridiculous 17 straight points in the 4th quarter as he finished with 22 points in just 18 minutes of action for the New Orleans Pelicans.

After dropping 15 points in 21 minutes against the Nuggets, Williamson's minutes were upped to 27 against the Celtics - and the Duke product finished with 21 points and 11 rebounds as he recorded his first career double-double. Over his first three appearances, Williamson has averaged 19.3 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 1.7 assists in just 22.3 minutes - and the teenager is also shooting 66.7 percent from the field. He may have been an extremely late addition to the ROY race, although judging on his first week, Williamson is already in contention.

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#3 Tyler Herro - Miami Heat

Tyler Herro has made a huge impact from Miami's bench

The Miami Heat are currently dealing with somewhat of an injury crisis, and Tyler Herro has been able to step up over the past week. Herro played a substantial role in Miami's overtime win over the Wizards - finishing with 25 points on 5 of 7 shooting from beyond the arc.

Herro also played a career-high 40 minutes two days later against the Clippers, and while he struggled with his usually reliable three-point shot, he still managed to contribute 19 points while shooting just under 50 percent from the field. It was just Herro's fourth start of the season, and despite appearing from the bench for much of the campaign, the shooting guard is still averaging 13.3 points per contest while shooting 39.4 percent from three-point range.

#2 Kendrick Nunn - Miami Heat

Kendrick Nunn played just once last week due to injury

Kendrick Nunn has been excellent since the turn of the year, although he played just once over the past seven days due to injury. Missing Miami's games against the Clippers and Magic, Nunn's only appearance came against the Wizards, as he recorded 14 points and 4 rebounds in 26 minutes.

Nevertheless, despite his setback, Nunn has still started 44 out of Miami's 46 games this season and holds averages of 16.2 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game. Nunn should return at some point later this week, and he will be eager to make up for lost time.

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#1 Ja Morant - Memphis Grizzlies

Ja Morant has been excellent for the Memphis Grizzlies

Williamson may have finally returned from injury, although Ja Morant has taken full advantage of his absence during the first half of the season. The 20-year-old currently leads rookies (minimum 10 games) in scoring 17.6 and assists 7.1 per contest, and the point guard is also shooting a better than expected 48.7 percent from the field for the Grizzlies.

Over the past week, Morant turned in one of his worst performances of the season as he managed just two points in 24 minutes against the Celtics, although the South Carolina native bounced back by recording a double-double against the Suns. He also dropped 23 points in 34 minutes over the Suns, and he remains the man to catch in the race to be named Rookie of the Year.