NBA Most Improved Player 2025-26 Season: Latest Power Rankings as Ajay Mitchell Makes More Noise With The Thunder

In more ways than one, the OKC Thunder have sustained their high-caliber play from their title campaign. Their offense is top five in the NBA, their defense is second to none, and their reigning MVP is "quietly" averaging 32.5 points per game. Not even the prolonged absence of their second leading scorer last season has curtailed their dominance this year.

The Thunder's depth deserves praise as well, and Ajay Mitchell's topnotch performance propels him to the top of our Most Improved Player (MIP) rankings this week. There are a number of teams in the league where Mitchell would be an excellent starter, and the fact that the Thunder has mostly played him in their second unit is another testament to the greatness of their roster.

NBA Most Improved Player, 2025-26 Season: Latest Power Rankings for Nov. 15, 2025

#5 Jalen Duren, Detroit Pistons

Previous Ranking: New entry

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Milwaukee Bucks v Detroit Pistons - Source: Getty

GP 11 | PPG 19.4 | RPG 12.0 | APG 1.6 | SPG 1.1 | BPG 1.2 | TOV 2.5

FG 64.7% | FT 80.8%

In the same way that the Thunder's dominance has boosted Mitchell's MIP stock, Jalen Duren has also earned consideration for the award by virtue of his team's early success. Because the streaking Detroit Pistons (11-2) comfortably occupy the top spot in the Eastern Conference, it's about time that Duren gets recognition for a nearly eight-point jump in his scoring average.

#4 Josh Giddey, Chicago Bulls

Previous Ranking: 1st

Chicago Bulls v New York Knicks - Source: Getty

GP 9 | PPG 21.4 | RPG 9.6 | APG 9.3 | SPG 1.0 | BPG 0.3 | TOV 3.4

FG 46.3% | 3PT 38.5% | FT 75.5%

Is Josh Giddey the barometer of the Chicago Bulls' performance this season? When he was clicking on all cylinders last week, the Bulls were second in the East. With Giddey sidelined for the past two games, however, Chicago has fallen all the way to the eighth spot. Giddey's absence has also cost him the number one spot in our MIP rankings.

#3 Austin Reaves, LA Lakers

Previous Ranking: 2nd

Los Angeles Lakers v Minnesota TImberwolves - Source: Getty

GP 10 | PPG 28.6 | RPG 5.0 | APG 8.2 | SPG 1.4 | BPG 0.1 | TOV 3.4

FG 47.8% | 3PT 30.5% | FT 87.3%

Lakers fans were happy to see Austin Reaves return to action after he dealt with some groin issues. It was not exactly thrilling, however, to see Reaves shoot 4-for-21 from beyond the arc in three contests this past week. Reaves remains a prolific scorer and playmaker, but he'll have to find his stroke from deep once again.

#2 Ryan Rollins, Milwaukee Bucks

Previous Ranking: 5th

Milwaukee Bucks v Dallas Mavericks - Source: Getty

GP 12 | PPG 17.3 | RPG 3.7 | APG 5.7 | SPG 1.8 | BPG 0.3 | TOV 2.3

FG 52.7% | 3PT 45.9% | FT 80.8%

There's a logjam in the middle of the Eastern Conference standings at the moment, and Ryan Rollins is helping ensure that the Milwaukee Bucks can keep in step with other aspiring teams. Among the Bucks' key rotation players, the unwavering Rollins is second only to Giannis Antetokounmpo in scoring, assists, and field goal percentage.

#1 Ajay Mitchell, OKC Thunder

Previous Ranking: 3rd

NBA: Golden State Warriors at Oklahoma City Thunder - Source: Imagn

GP 13 | PPG 16.9 | RPG 3.8 | APG 3.8 | SPG 1.8 | BPG 0.2 | TOV 1.7

FG 46.2% | 3PT 34.7% | FT 91.8%

Generally, it isn't all that surprising to see second-year players showcase a bump in their stats after getting a feel of the NBA landscape in their rookie campaign. In Ajay Mitchell's case, he has thus far achieved the opposite of a sophomore jinx. His vastly improved stats have held steadily for the past few weeks, leading some fans to forget that Jalen Williams has yet to play a single minute for the Thunder this season.

Edited by Simoun Victor Redoblado