NBA Most Improved Player of the Year: December 16th, 2021 | Latest Power Rankings by Sportskeeda

#3 Ja Morant

Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies.

Previous week's NBA MIP Power Ranking - #2

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies continues to miss games due to a left knee injury, while also being placed in the league's health and safety protocols. Morant has missed ten games since the injury and it has caused him to slip to third place in this week's NBA Most Improved Player power rankings.

With the Grizzlies playing at a high level without Morant, they are surely going to take their time in bringing back their superstar point guard. Memphis is 9-1 since Ja's injury and one of the best teams in the NBA during that stretch. The Grizzlies have given no timetable for Morant's return and they are not going to rush him.

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#2 Dejounte Murray

Dejounte Murray of the San Antonio Spurs.

Previous week's NBA MIP Power Ranking - #3

Last Week: Games played - 4; Games won - 2; Games lost - 2

Overall: Games played - 27; Games won - 10; Games lost - 17

Last Week: PPG - 11.5, APG - 8.0, RPG - 7.8

Overall: PPG - 17.7, APG - 8.4, RPG - 8.3

Last Week: FG% - 38.8%, 3P% - 31.3%, SPG - 1.8

Overall: FG% - 44.1%, 3P% - 33.9, SPG - 1.9

Dejounte Murray had an up-and-down week for the San Antonio Spurs last week. He was brilliant in the win over the Denver Nuggets on December 9th with 20 points, eight rebounds and nine assists. But Murray followed it up with a dud against the same Nuggets team two days later.

Murray later posted a triple-double in a win against the New Orleans Pelicans. The 25-year-old poing guard is averaging 17.7 points, 8.3 rebounds, 8.4 assists and 1.9 steals per game this season. That was enough to get him to second spot in this week's NBA Most Improved Player 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 - 2; Games lost - 1

Overall: Games played - 30; Games won - 16; Games lost - 14

Last Week: PPG - 16.3, APG - 6.3, RPG - 8.3

Overall: PPG - 19.8, APG - 3.6, RPG - 7.3

Last Week: FG% - 50.0%, 3P% - 25.0%, FT% - 64.3%

Overall: FG% - 47.0%, 3P% - 32.8%, FT% - 76.0%

Miles Bridges of the Charlotte Hornets remains at number one for this week's NBA Most Improved Player power rankings. Bridges has become the Hornets' primary player with LaMelo Ball and Terry Rozier in the NBA's health and safety protocols.

The 23-year-old forward averaged 6.3 assists last week, taking on the role of playmaker. His scoring dipped, but it was his efficiency, rebounding and passing that impressed last week. Bridges has certainly taken the leap from a role player to an important star for the Hornets this season.