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As the WNBA heads toward playoff season, a topic of debate dominates the basketball community. Who will be this year’s WNBA MVP? The competition for this coveted award has heated up in the 2023 season. Three outstanding athletes stand at the forefront, contending for the trophy. Breanna Stewart of the New York Liberty, Alyssa Thomas of the Connecticut Sun, and A’ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces have all put on outstanding performances that have sparked a passionate debate among fans, analysts, and players.

As the votes are cast and the anticipation grows, let’s take a look at how A’ja Wilson’s amazing season makes her a standout candidate for the 2023 WNBA MVP.

The battle for MVP begins

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One of the leading contenders for the MVP title, Breanna Stewart has undoubtedly defied preseason assumptions that superstars would struggle to stand out on super teams with her outstanding play this year. She has managed to keep her position as a key member of her team despite having a roster full of three other All-WNBA players. Sandy Brondello, the coach of the New York Liberty, even gave Stewart the most playing time since her rookie year, an average of 34.2 minutes per game.

Stewart stands out for her capacity to not only coexist but also excel in the presence of other top talents. When Stewart isn’t playing, the Liberty often falls for a sizable chunk of the time. And this happens, despite them playing with two other All-WNBA selections, Courtney Vandersloot and former MVP Jonquel Jones.

Stewart’s contribution to offense has also been nothing short of remarkable. She has achieved career-high statistics in both points per game (23.3, second only to former colleague Loyd. Loyd’s numbers look something like this: assists per game (3.8) and usage rate (28%). It is slightly higher than her last MVP performance in 2018 with the Seattle Storm. Her career-high assist-to-turnover ratio of 2.6 demonstrates that she is exceptional at coordinating plays as well as scoring goals.

Stewart’s capacity to not only put up remarkable numbers but also maintain excellent ball control is a key differential in comparison to her MVP rivals A’ja Wilson and Alyssa Thomas. She stands out in a season with fierce competition for the MVP award because of her dedication to effectively assisting the offense. On the other end, Alyssa Thomas, the unstoppable force behind the Connecticut Sun, has drawn admiration for her unmatched adaptability. With an astounding sixth triple-double in a single season, she has completely rewritten the triple-double record books. She now holds the league record for most double-doubles with 27. Furthermore,? she is about to become the first player to ever lead the league in both assists and rebounds.

Read More: With 3rd WNBA MVP on the Horizon, A?ja Wilson Leaves Stephen Curry Bamboozled

The Sun mostly consists of role players without any former MVPs or members of the national team. Without Thomas’s services, the team would be out of the playoff picture. Furthermore, her never-ending efforts on both ends of the court, perfectly capture the qualities of the Most Valuable Player. To add to this, she even played for the most minutes in the league. So what makes A’ja Wilson stand out in the MVP race?

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Why does A?ja Wilson Deserve the 2023 WNBA MVP?

The current MVP, A’ja Wilson, has distinguished herself with a remarkable quest for a second straight MVP trophy. With a 61.8 true shooting percentage this season, she has statistically outperformed even her prior MVP season record of 58.5. Wilson averaged a career-high of 22.3 points per game. She has established herself as the Aces’ go-to low-block scoring threat and a defensive pillar. Wilson contributed significantly to the Aces’ success with her impressive increase in win shares from 6.5 to 9.5,

A’ja Wilson has been instrumental in helping her team through the ups and downs of the season with her leadership. She has a significant overall impact on both her team and the league as a whole. This aspect cannot be understated as the competition for the 2023 WNBA MVP intensifies. Despite strong seasons from rivals like Breanna Stewart and Alyssa Thomas, A’ja Wilson stands out as a leading contender for the award this year. This gives her a chance to win an unprecedented third MVP title. The MVP selection may ultimately come down to personal choice. However, considering the impact she has on both her team and the league, A?ja Wilson takes the cake.

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Who do you think deserves the title of the 2023 WNBA MVP? Let us know in the comments below!