As the WNBA season reaches its climax, the MVP Trophy race is heating up. A team’s strong regular-season performance is crucial for a player to be considered for the MVP award. Only one player in the past 14 seasons has won the MVP without being on a team that finished in the top two. With the WNBA being dominated by a few top teams, we can confidently say that the MVP will come from either the Las Vegas Aces, New York Liberty, or Connecticut Sun. In this article, we’ll break down the WNBA MVP market and discuss the leading contenders.
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Breanna Stewart, New York Liberty (-150)
Stewart’s decision to join the New York Liberty during free agency caused a stir in the WNBA, forming a powerful quartet of All-Stars. She is currently the frontrunner for the MVP award, although her odds have decreased to -150 from -300 earlier in July. Stewart leads the league in win shares, a significant statistic that often aligns with winning the MVP. She is averaging 22.6 points, 9.1 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.5 steals per game. Additionally, she boasts a three-point shooting percentage of 37.4%. Stewart has a strong chance to win the MVP, especially if the Liberty can close the gap with the Aces for the top spot in the league. With eight games remaining, the Liberty are currently three games behind the Aces in the standings.
A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces (+145)
Wilson, who has won two of the last three MVP awards, is in contention to add another trophy to her collection. At the start of the season, her odds to repeat ranged between +300 and +350. In July, her odds even reached +400, but they have since improved. Wilson benefits from her team’s dominant position as they currently hold the best record in the league at 28-4. She leads the league in win shares per 40 and blocks per game. Wilson ranks fourth in scoring with an average of 21.3 points per game and second in rebounding with just under 10 boards per game. The 27-year-old is known for her exceptional two-way abilities. For Wilson to secure her third MVP trophy in four seasons, the Aces will need to maintain their lead in the standings over the Liberty.
Alyssa Thomas, Connecticut Sun (+1500)
While the MVP race seems to be a battle between two players, Alyssa Thomas should not be overlooked. Thomas, a standout player for the Connecticut Sun, has odds of +1500, highlighting her potential. She consistently poses as a triple-double threat, showcasing her scoring, rebounding, and passing skills. Thomas is currently averaging 15.5 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 8.1 assists per game, with a shooting percentage of 46.3%. She has played a pivotal role in leading Connecticut to a playoff spot with a 22-10 record. Although they are currently three games behind the Liberty and six games behind the Aces for the top spot, Thomas deserves recognition for her contributions in Connecticut’s contention during the era of super teams in the WNBA.
Recent WNBA MVP Winners
2022 A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces
2021 Jonquel Jones, Connecticut Sun
2020 A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces
2019 Elena Delle Donne, Washington Mystics
2018 Breanna Stewart, Seattle Storm
2017 Sylvia Fowles, Minnesota Lynx
2016 Nneka Ogwumike, Los Angeles Sparks
