NBA Most Improved Player race: Who are the finalists for this season's award?

[p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/alexander-walker-nickeil/UX4LnqkP/"]Nickeil Alexander-Walker[/a], [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/avdija-deni/8MEeJXFF/"]Deni Avdija[/a], and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/duren-jalen/xva6ve5b/"]Jalen Duren[/a] headline this year’s race after making significant jumps in production, role, and overall impact.[/p][p]At the same time, players like [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/johnson-jalen/St5Wx0bR/"]Jalen Johnson[/a] and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/rollins-ryan/MivlU7sF/"]Ryan Rollins[/a] were consistently part of the MIP conversation throughout the season and deserve recognition for their development.[/p][embed guid="172f5f50-f83b-4287-8347-e8b856cb0ef8" url="https://x.com/NBAPR/status/2045987327210553457?s=20" social-type="twitter" /][h2]The finalists [/h2][p][b]Nickeil Alexander-Walker ([a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/atlanta-hawks/xAO4gBas/"]Atlanta Hawks[/a])[/b][/p][p]Nickeil Alexander-Walker has made one of the most remarkable leaps in recent memory. Previously known for his defensive presence and bench role in Minnesota, he has transformed into a full-time starter and offensive centrepiece in Atlanta.[/p][p]His scoring jumped from 9.4 to 20.8 points per game - making him the first player since 2014 to increase his scoring by over 10 points per game, and marking the third-largest jump in the past 25 years. What makes it even more impressive is that his efficiency improved alongside his increased volume.[/p][p]After starting just 68 games across his first six seasons, Alexander-Walker started 71 games this year alone, solidifying his role as a core piece. He’s also been a key factor in Atlanta’s surge, as the Hawks emerged as one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference after the All-Star break.[/p][p]Notably, the Atlanta Hawks saw [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/daniels-dyson/r5pENvXa/"]Dyson Daniels[/a] take home this award last season - putting Alexander-Walker in position to potentially make it back-to-back winners for the franchise.[/p][embed guid="98bd095a-84f1-49c6-9a90-9fe4fa1f9991" url="https://x.com/KLChouinard/status/2042295772058652942?s=20" social-type="twitter" /][p][b]Deni Avdija ([a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/portland-trail-blazers/4Awl14c5/"]Portland Trail Blazers[/a]) [/b][/p][p]Deni Avdija’s breakout season has been years in the making. After being traded from the [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/washington-wizards/W6vGWPsn/"]Washington Wizards[/a] - where he was often tasked with doing the 'dirty work' - he finally got the opportunity to expand his offensive role in Portland. [/p][p]With [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/lillard-damian/GfOP1DEt/"]Damian Lillard[/a] sidelined for stretches, Avdija stepped up as a primary option. His scoring jumped from 16.9 to 24.2 points per game, driven by a clear increase in responsibility and usage.[/p][p]A big part of his growth has been his ability to attack the rim - consistently driving aggressively and putting pressure on defences. That approach led to more efficient scoring opportunities and opened up the offence overall.[/p][p]It also translated into winning moments, most notably when he delivered a game-winner against the [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/phoenix-suns/M1Gy2pra/"]Phoenix Suns[/a], helping push Portland into the playoffs.[/p][p]His leap didn’t go unnoticed, earning him his first All-Star selection and firmly placing him among this year’s finalists.[/p][embed guid="6bdb2a26-9f8a-4a6f-9a5c-178a4137f110" url="https://x.com/NBAonPrime/status/2044276850197700642?s=20" social-type="twitter" /][p][b]Jalen Duren ([a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/detroit-pistons/UcjMRj6J/"]Detroit Pistons[/a]) [/b][/p][p]Jalen Duren’s development has been one of the brighter stories for the Detroit Pistons this season.[/p][p]Still early in his career, Duren made a clear jump in production, particularly in scoring and offensive involvement. His scoring increased from 11.8 to 19.5 points per game, reflecting both a larger role and growing confidence.[/p][p]He remains highly efficient around the rim and continues to be a strong presence in the paint, using his physicality to finish plays and control the interior. His case may be more about steady growth than a sudden breakout, but the progression is undeniable.[/p][h2]Just outside the final three [/h2][p][b]Jalen Johnson (Atlanta Hawks) [/b][/p][p]Jalen Johnson has emerged as a central piece of Atlanta’s offence. After dealing with injuries last season, he stepped into a significantly larger role - especially following the departure of [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/young-trae/CCUGKxek/"]Trae Young[/a] - and at times looked like the engine of the team.[/p][p]His all-around production, including a standout 31-point, 8-rebound, 14-assist, 7-steal performance against the [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/utah-jazz/hGuCX5Su/"]Utah Jazz[/a], showed just how impactful he can be on both ends of the floor.[/p][p][b]Ryan Rollins ([a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/milwaukee-bucks/QTBEW6rC/"]Milwaukee Bucks[/a])[/b][/p][p]Ryan Rollins’ path to this point hasn’t been conventional, but his improvement is real. After working his way up from a two-way contract with the Milwaukee Bucks, he carved out a consistent role and delivered a noticeable jump in scoring. [/p][p]While his case may not be as strong as the finalists statistically, his development and increased responsibility kept him firmly in the conversation.[/p][embed guid="5b495f02-ad06-4d1f-bdf8-c9523de48ef6" url="https://x.com/Bucks/status/2044566442264158529?s=20" social-type="twitter" /][h2]Who should win?[/h2][p]The 2025/26 Most Improved Player race highlights different types of growth - from expanded roles to full transformations.[/p][p]Duren represents steady development. Avdija turned opportunity into consistent production. But if the award is about the biggest leap, Alexander-Walker may have the edge.[/p][p]Going from a defensive role player to a 20-point-per-game scorer while improving efficiency is exactly the kind of jump this award is meant to recognise - and one that’s hard to overlook.[/p]