Can A’ja Wilson Win WNBA MVP 1 Year After Championship Glory?

If you have followed the WNBA in the last three or five years, you must be aware of how A’ja Wilson has been miles ahead of everyone else in the league. The Las Vegas Aces star has won two WNBA MVPs so far, but winning back-to-back would be an icing on the cake after their incredible 2022 championship.

But can she really win her third MVP award only one year after winning her maiden WNBA championship?

A’ja Wilson’s numbers in the 2023 season

As the 2023 WNBA regular season nears its end, A’ja Wilson’s incredible performances haven’t come as a surprise, for fans and analysts alike. Gearing up for every single game of the regular season, she has put up a career-high average of 22.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.3 steals and 2.2 blocks.

This season, she also matched the WNBA record for most points in a single game with 53 points against the Atlanta Dream.

The previous record was also held by a former Aces Center – Liz Cambage who scored 53 against Liberty in 2018. However, what sets Wilson apart is not just her scoring prowess but also her defensive skills, shining brighter than ever.

The defending champions, the Aces are entering the regular season finale this noon against the already eliminated (from playoff contention) Phoenix Mercury. The Aces will enter the game with the league’s best record at 33-6.

Wilson is leading the pack in multiple statistical categories, including minutes per minute, field goals made, blocks and defensive rating. Her ability to dominate on both ends of the court helped her win the 2023 ESPYS award for the Best WNBA Player.

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However, while Wilson’s numbers are undeniably impressive and her career-best in many categories, this season has seen some of the most extraordinary talents truly shine for their respective teams.

Wilson’s competition for the 2023 WNBA MVP award

The New York Liberty’s Breanna Stewart has had a phenomenal regular season averaging 23.3 points, 9.4 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 1.6 blocks per game. With just one game left in the regular season, she stands as Wilson’s primary competitor for the MVP title. Her incredible performances back her up for the coveted title.

Stewart’s repetitive top performances bolster case and include four 40-point games, tying her with Phoenix Mercury legend Diana Taurasi for the most in WNBA history.

However, the degree of sheer difficulties that were faced by A’ja Wilson is higher than Stewart’s healthy Liberty side. The Aces maintained their dominance on the table despite significant setbacks like absence of key players like Candace Parker. In contrast, the New York Liberty, with a roster packed with All-WNBA caliber talent, has managed to maintain relative availability throughout Stweart’s remarkable season.

A’ja Wilson, however, has amassed a number of accolades from the day she first stepped into the league.

Awards and recognition in Wilson’s career so far

After being drafted first overall by the Las Vegas Aces in 2018, Wilson has etched her name in WNBA and Aces history multiple times in the last 5 years. Before winning her maiden WNBA championship in 2022, she had won the WNBA MVP award twice from 2020 to 2022. She was also named WNBA Defensive Player of the Year in 2022.

Moreover, she was named the WNBA Rookie of the Year in 2018 and earned her first of five All-Star selections the same year.

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So, the question remains. With countless accolades to her name in the past, and incredible performances this season, can A’Ja Wilson win her third WNBA MVP title just one year after clinching her first championship? Her performances throughout the season support the claim but so do those for Breanna Stewart.

Who is your pick for the 2023 WNBA MVP? Let us know in the comments below!