NBA Most Improved Player of the Year: November 4th, 2021 | Latest Power Rankings by Sportskeeda

The 2021-22 NBA season is off to a great start and has certainly thrown some surprise packages at the fans. The Toronto Raptors are on a roll in the East despite Pascal Siakam's absence, while the Milwaukee Bucks have been underwhelming by their standards. The Charlotte Hornets have faced a dip in form, while the Nets are regaining theirs with each passing game.

The race for the NBA's Most Improved Player award is also heating up, with several candidates vying for the coveted prize.

Here are the latest power rankings for the same.

#5 Dejounte Murray

San Antonio Spurs v Milwaukee Bucks

Previous week's NBA MIP Power Ranking - NA

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

Overall: Games played - 8; Games won - 2; Games lost - 6

Last Week: PPG - 20.9, APG - 7.8, RPG - 5.1

Overall: PPG - 18.3, APG - 8.4, RPG - 7.8

Last Week: FG% - 51.4%, 3P% - 40.2%, FT% - 70.00

Overall: FG% - 44.4%, 3P% - 35.3%, FT% - 70.00

San Antonio Spurs guard Dejounte Murray is having a breakout season in the NBA and has been the only positive for Gregg Popovich's side so far. He's doing it all for the Spurs, whether it's on the offensive or the defensive side of the ball. Murray plays the point guard position, but his tactical flexibility and tactical acumen have helped him guard players 1-4.

The Spurs are going through a poor spell of form, but Murray has ensured that teams around the league take notice of him.

#4 Tyler Herro

Miami Heat v Brooklyn Nets

Previous week's NBA MIP Power Ranking - NA

Last Week: Games played - 4; Games won - 4; Games lost - 0

Overall: Games played - 7; Games won - 6; Games lost - 1

Last Week: PPG - 24.3, APG - 5.0, RPG - 4.2

Overall: PPG - 22.4, APG - 6.0, RPG - 4.4

Last Week: FG% - 55.2%, 3P% - 55.3%, FT% - 83.00

Overall: FG% - 47.2%, 3P% - 40.8%, FT% - 85.00

Tyler Herro was mercilessly ridiculed for his form last NBA season but has bounced back in style this year, shutting all his critics up. Herro is coming off the bench for the Heat and is averaging a stellar 22 points and six rebounds per game. His decision-making has improved massively, and his work with the weights in the summer has enabled him to get to the rim with ease.

The Heat have been one of the best teams in the NBA this season, and Herro has played a major role in it.

#3 Jordan Poole

NBA 2021-22: Charlotte Hornets v Golden State Warriors

Previous week's NBA MIP Power Ranking - 3rd (-)

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

Overall: Games played - 7; Games won - 6; Games lost - 1

Last Week: PPG - 18.0, APG - 2.6, RPG - 3.6

Overall: PPG - 16.4, APG - 3.6, RPG - 2.7

Last Week: FG% - 44.2%, 3P% - 38.0%, FT% - 90.00

Overall: FG% - 43.0%, 3P% - 30.2%, FT% - 87.5

Jordan Poole has been the surprise package of the season so far, and he retains his third ranking in the power rankings since last week. He dropped 31 points against the Charlotte Hornets recently, which helped the Golden State Warriors move to a 6-1 record. Poole's scoring has been a major asset for the Warriors, who have not felt Klay Thompson's absence much because of his contribution.

#2 Miles Bridges

NBA 2021-22: Portland Trail Blazers v Charlotte Hornets

Previous week's NBA MIP Power Ranking - NA

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

Overall: Games played - 9; Games won - 5; Games lost - 4

Last Week: PPG - 21.4, APG - 6.1, RPG - 7.0

Overall: PPG - 24.1, APG - 3.2, RPG - 8.0

Last Week: FG% - 42.6%, 3P% - 35.4%, FT% - 85.00

Overall: FG% - 48.2%, 3P% - 37.1%, FT% - 86.8

Miles Bridges enters the power rankings in style, taking the number two spot for this week. Bridges shined bright despite the Charlotte Hornets having a poor week and is a strong contender for the Most Improved Player award. He is coming off a strong game against the Golden State Warriors, where he scored 32 points and grabbed nine rebounds.

#1 Ja Morant

NBA 2021-22: Memphis Grizzlies v Los Angeles Lakers

Previous week's NBA MIP Power Ranking - #4 (^1)

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

Overall: Games played - 8; Games won - 5; Games lost - 3

Last Week: PPG - 21.3, APG - 7.0, RPG - 5.9

Overall: PPG - 24.1, APG - 3.2, RPG - 8.0

Last Week: FG% - 43.3%, 3P% - 20.0%, FT% - 49.00

Overall: FG% - 48.2%, 3P% - 37.1%, FT% - 86.8

Ja Morant is a candidate for both the Most Improved Player Award and the NBA MVP, which is a testament to how sensational he has been this season. He has been a prolific scorer in the paint, an area of the court that is usually dominated by bigs. Morant's playmaking has also been effortless, and if continues to display the same form, he could go on to create history this season.