2022 WNBA MVP Power Rankings Week 11: A’ja Wilson, Case Closed? - The Lead

2022-07-29 20:46:15 By : Ms. Catherine Chong

Another week closer to the WNBA playoffs, more league drama, and thankfully fantastic basketball reigned supreme. The Aces exacted revenge against the Sky, winning the second Commissioner’s Cup in deciding fashion. 

Chicago and Las Vegas are first and second in the league and clinched playoff spots. Rounding out the top four are Connecticut in third and Seattle in fourth. The intensity has increased as other teams compete for the final three playoff spots. 

The 2022 WNBA MVP is a heated contest between A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart. Evidence suggests Wilson has a substantial advantage. With eight games left to play for the Aces and Storm, is time on Wilson’s side or Stewie’s? Time to play WNBA MVP Roulette.

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Every way you roll the dice, this season belongs to Wilson. Let’s start with her 14 double-doubles. It is impressive all on its own. Add in a fifth-best 19.4 points and a second-best 9.7 rebounds a game, and now that roulette table looks incredibly enticing. 

She is second in blocks per game (2.1 BPG), and did you see her career-high six blocks against the Sky? Wilson is second in ESPN fantasy points (38.46 FPG) and shoots 49.7% from the field. 

A'ja Wilson tonight:pic.twitter.com/iUZB6ibBfo

Hold on a minute. Stewie is sitting at this roulette table. She leads the league in points (21.3 PPG) and is third in steals (1.8 SPG). Additionally, she is first in ESPN fantasy points (39.00). 

Stewie shoots 45.2% from the field and 86.8% from the free-throw line. She has three double-doubles this season.

Breanna Stewart (@breannastewart) with ANOTHER double-double! Stewart dropped 23 points and 10 rebounds in Seattle's triumph over Atlanta 🔥 pic.twitter.com/KdWIek4Eu4

Compare the two players, and the numbers favor Wilson. Her field goal, two-point, and three-point percentage are better than Stewie’s. Wilson pulls down 2.3 more rebounds and blocks 1.1 more shots a game than Stewie. 

Yes, Stewie scores more points per game by a margin of +1.9. She also averages .5 more steals a game and .3 fewer turnovers per contest than Wilson. 

If the numbers are not convincing, here are three more reasons Wilson is this season’s WNBA MVP. First, the Aces are second in the league with a 20-8 record, while the Storm are fourth with an 18-10 record. Plus one for Wilson.

Next, Team Wilson beat Team Stewart in the WNBA All-Star game. Remember, the game was not close; it was a rout. Plus two for Wilson. 

Third, Wilson led the Aces to a Commissioner’s Cup win against the league-leading Sky. Plus three for Wilson. The Storm did not earn a place in the game.

Who else will the voters elect if Wilson or Stewie do not take home the MVP trophy by some fluke? An intriguing choice might be Candace Parker if the Sky hold onto their first place lead to finish the regular season. Also, Kelsey Plum or Jackie Young may convince voters to elect another Las Vegas player as MVP.

Seriously, the 2022 MVP award is still Wilson’s to win or lose. Run that roulette table up and down, and 22 wins every time. Mark those words; all hail the best of the best, Superstar, All-Everything, Ms. Wilson!  

All stats courtesy of Her Hoops Stats

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