As the WNBA season continues, some players have had noteworthy seasons. These players have played well and have helped their teams succeed. Typically, when a player has such an impactful season, fans and media alike agree that the player is having an MVP caliber season.
The WNBA MVP is the most prestigious (individual player) award of the league. A player receives the award when they have an impactful season. They play well, and their team usually does the same.
Last year, Breanna Stewart of the Seattle Storm won the MVP award. She won after a great season where she averaged 21.8 points (a career-high), 8.4 rebounds and 1.3 steals (another career-high). She also won Finals MVP and a WNBA championship in the same year.
This year, the award could go to another deserving player. A player who like Stewart, impacts their team. Here are five potential MVP candidates and where they currently stand against other candidates.
1.) Elena Delle Donne
Delle Donne is no stranger to the MVP award. She won the award in 2015 after averaging 23.4 points, 8.4 rebounds and two blocks. Her averages in each category are her career-best. Delle Donne’s performance led to the Chicago Sky finishing second in the Eastern Conference with a record of 21-13. Unfortunately, the Sky lost in the first round of the playoffs.
This year, Delle Donne, who now plays for the Washington Mystics, averages 17.5 points, 8.6 rebounds and 1.3 blocks. She ranks fourth in scoring and fourth in rebounds. Delle Donne was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week after averaging 28.0 points, 11.5 rebounds and 2.5 blocks in two games. The Mystics went undefeated this weekend as they beat the Fever on Friday and the Dream on Sunday. Delle Donne scored 28 points in both games and had a double-double in the overtime win over the Fever. She grabbed 15 rebounds to go along with her 28 points.
Delle Donne played great over the weekend, as she returned to the Mystics on Friday. She missed three games with a broken nose. She wore a face mask and put on a show.
The Mystics are second in the Eastern Conference with a record of 11-6. They are on a two-game winning streak as Delle Donne returned to action. They lost three-straight games when she was out. Now, they are back on the right track. This shows how important Delle Donne is to the Mystics and why she is an MVP candidate.
2.) Natasha Howard
Another player to consider is Natasha Howard. Howard averages 18.4 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.1 steals and 1.7 blocks. She is averaging a career-high in points and rebounds and made significant improvements in both categories. Her points per game averages has improved by 5.2 points and her rebounds average increased by 1.8. Last season was her career-best in several categories, but she is surpassing those averages this year.
Howard was named the Western Conference Player of the Week as the Seattle Storm went 2-0 this week. She averaged 27.0 points, 8.5 rebounds and 4.5 blocks.
Howard has 33 points as the Storm beat the Minnesota Lynx 90-79. Then, she had 21 points and 10 rebounds in a close win over the Las Vegas Aces.
The talented forward ranks third in the league in points and sixth in rebounds. She is playing well despite a situation off the court. Her performance has helped the Storm remain second in the Western Conference with a record 12-8. They are on a four-game winning streak and could extend their streak as they play the Aces. Howard’s performance this season has helped them tremendously.
3.) Jonquel Jones
Jones is playing well for the Connecticut Sun as they sit on top of the Eastern Conference. She averages 15.5 points, 10.2 rebounds and 2.3 blocks. Her stats have improved from her previous season.
Jones has played well as the Sun are on a three-game winning streak.
In their games last week, Jones finished the games with 26 points and 12 points respectively. The forward/center is impacting her team and will likely continue to do so for the rest of the season.
4.) A’ja Wilson
The 2018 Rookie of the Year continues to shine as she leads the Aces through their season. Wilson averages 15.8 points and 6.6 rebounds this season. She ranks ninth in points and seventh in blocks this season.
In their last two games, the Aces went 1-1. They lost to the Storm on Friday but beat the Lynx on Sunday. Wilson played in Friday’s game but left early due to an ankle injury. Aces head coach Bill Laimbeer says that Wilson could be out for weeks. Wilson has played well for the Aces as they are first in the Western Conference with a record of 12-6.
Wilson’s injury will affect the Aces (and her MVP chances), but she should be considered.
5.) DeWanna Bonner
Bonner is a veteran that is still going strong. She started her career in 2009 with the Phoenix Mercury and has been with the team since then. This season, Bonner averages 18.5 points and 7.7 rebounds. She ranks second in scoring and eighth in rebounds.
In their two games last week, Bonner had 10 points in the first game and 14 in the second. The Mercury won both games (one home and one away) against the Dallas Wings
Bonner has played well for the Mercury, and she plays a crucial part in their success. The veteran deserves recognition as an MVP candidate.
This year’s MVP race features several deserving candidates. Next week’s rankings could change, but as of now, these are the MVP candidates and where they currently stand.