NBA Most Improved Player 2025-26 Season: Latest Power Rankings as Jalen Duren Takes a Giant Leap (Nov. 22, 2025)

A month into the 2025-26 season, two teams reign atop their respective conferences. In the Western Conference, the defending NBA champions OKC Thunder (16-1) have been made to taste defeat just once in four weeks of action. As for the Eastern Conference, no team has been more impressive than the Detroit Pistons (13-2), who have 11 consecutive games.

While Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Cade Cunningham deserve plenty of credit for these teams' success, OKC and Detroit would not be where they are today if it weren't for Ajay Mitchell and Jalen Duren. With their distinct styles of play, Mitchell and Duren have displayed incredible growth from where they were last season. In the process, they have made compelling cases for a certain year-end accolade.

NBA Most Improved Player, 2025-26 Season: Latest Power Rankings for Nov. 22, 2025

#5 Ryan Rollins, Milwaukee Bucks

Previous Ranking: 2nd

Los Angeles Lakers v Milwaukee Bucks - Source: Getty

GP 16 | PPG 18.3 | RPG 3.9 | APG 5.9 | SPG 1.6 | BPG 0.2 | TOV 2.5

FG 51.1% | 3PT 44.3% | FT 80.0%

The impressive two-way play of Ryan Rollins continues this season, though his shooting percentages took a bit of a hit this past week. Rollins' numbers, however, are dampened by the three-game skid that the Bucks are trying to halt.

#4 Austin Reaves, LA Lakers

Previous Ranking: 3rd

Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Utah Jazz 140-126 to win a NBA basketball game. - Source: Getty

GP 12 | PPG 28.1 | RPG 5.1 | APG 7.6 | SPG 1.3 | BPG 0.1 | TOV 3.4

FG 49.0% | 3PT 32.6% | FT 87.2%

The Lakers had just a single game this past week, and in this matchup against the Utah Jazz, Austin Reaves had 26 points, five rebounds, one assist, and one steal. Not bad for a player who recently battled a groin injury, but the other entries on this list did more work to make their case as Most Improved Player.

#3 Josh Giddey, Chicago Bulls

Previous Ranking: 4th

NBA: Miami Heat at Chicago Bulls - Source: Imagn

GP 13 | PPG 20.6 | RPG 9.9 | APG 9.6 | SPG 0.9 | BPG 0.5 | TOV 3.6

FG 46.3% | 3PT 37.0% | FT 74.4%

Another MIP candidate who has recently returned from injury is Josh Giddey. In four games this past week (when the Bulls went 2-2), the Australian guard had stat lines such as 26-13-13 against the Jazz and 21-14-6 in a road win over the Denver Nuggets.

#2 Jalen Duren, Detroit Pistons

Previous Ranking: 5th

NBA: Detroit Pistons at Atlanta Hawks - Source: Imagn

GP 13 | PPG 20.6 | RPG 11.9 | APG 1.8 | SPG 1.1 | BPG 1.1 | TOV 2.3

FG 67.4% | FT 77.9%

No other NBA team has pulled off an 11-game winning streak this season aside from the Detroit Pistons. Jalen Duren deserves much credit here, as he has established himself as a fearsome scoring threat inside while remaining a steady defensive anchor.

#1 Ajay Mitchell, OKC Thunder

Previous Ranking: 1st

NBA: Oklahoma City Thunder at Charlotte Hornets - Source: Imagn

GP 17 | PPG 15.9 | RPG 3.8 | APG 3.8 | SPG 1.8 | BPG 0.4 | TOV 1.8

FG 44.1% | 3PT 31.7% | FT 91.8%

From a team standpoint, the only feat that possibly overtakes the Pistons' streak is the Thunder's league-leading 16-1 record. Ajay Mitchell, then, keeps his spot on top of the MIP power rankings as his accelerated growth from his rookie season continues to help OKC steamroll over the rest of the competition.