WNBA MVP Ladder: where do Alyssa Thomas, Jackie Young rank?

The WNBA’s third week of action tips off tonight. Who leads the MVP race as they approach the first one-fifth of the season?

Through the first few weeks of WNBA action, players and teams have continued to establish themselves and move toward what they can be this season. We finally have enough sample size to start looking at awards races and power rankings.

The MVP race is in an interesting spot right now. The reigning MVP isn’t in the top five, but one of her teammates is. A two-time MVP has returned to the race after a few difficult years. Another player leaped to the top after another MVP left their team.

Let’s take a look at the WNBA MVP ladder through three weeks.

WNBA MVP Ladder: Week 3 honorable mentions

A’ja Wilson, F/C, Las Vegas Aces

The reigning MVP isn’t quite into the top five, yet, but it’s not because she isn’t valuable or performing to her lofty standards. Everything the Aces do still starts with Wilson, and they go to her when the team needs to get back on track. She leads Vegas in first-half points and continues to anchor their defense. If she maintains her level of play, she should climb the ladder as the season continues.

Nneka Ogwumike, F, Los Angeles Sparks

Ogwumike continues to be the queen of efficiency. She leads the new-look Sparks in scoring at 20.3 points per game while connecting on 56 percent of her field goals and 96 percent of her free throws. Of the eight current 20+ point scorers in the league, Ogwumike is the only one playing under 30 minutes a night. If the Sparks remain competitive and Ogwumike stays healthy, she should be in the MVP mix all season.

Kahleah Copper, G, Chicago Sky

Chicago retooled the roster this off-season, and many questioned the fit of the new roster. Copper stepped into the role of franchise player, and has responded well. The Sky have been competitive every night behind Copper’s leadership. She has been shooting incredibly well from three, despite overall lower efficiency caused by a few rough shooting nights. Once she starts getting a better whistle (only three free throw attempts per game so far), Copper’s efficiency will improve – and so will her MVP case.

WNBA MVP Ladder: Week 3 leaders

5. Elena Delle Donne, F, Washington Mystics

Healthy once again, EDD is back in the MVP race. Her return to form has been key for the Mystics, who have not yet gotten the contributions expected from their supporting cast. Delle Donne is posting absurd splits of .500/.526/.913 through six games so far, and she leads the team in blocks. The Mystics will inevitably climb the standings, and EDD will climb the ladder as they do.

4. Satou Sabally, F, Dallas Wings

Sabally is making her claim as the Wings’ best player. The third-year pro is showing why she’s called a “unicorn” nightly, and averaging career highs across the board: 22 points, 10.7 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 2 steals on .468/.371/.914 splits. Sabally is thriving under new coach Latricia Trammell, who has embraced Sabally’s unique skills more than any coach she has had before. The big question for Sabally is if she can stay healthy as the season progresses. If the answer is yes, and she continues performing at this level, she should be firmly in the MVP and MIP conversations.

3. Jackie Young, G, Las Vegas Aces

From MIP to MVP? Jackie Young has made that type of leap. As valuable as A’ja Wilson is, Young has been even more this year for the Aces. Her value as a three-level scorer and elite defender has been on full display all season. She leads the Aces in scoring and is shooting an outrageous 60 percent from the floor. Oh yeah, she’s also shooting 51.7 percent from three, too. Young is no longer the weak point in the starting lineup that she once was and is now more of a catalyst than she has ever been. Some would use the talent around Young to discredit her case, but even on the best team in the league, she sticks out.

2. Breanna Stewart, F, New York Liberty

New year, new team, same Breanna Stewart. Stewie hasn’t missed a beat, despite the Liberty’s early struggles as a whole. She leads the team in scoring by a large margin, has been their best defender, and remains efficient as ever. Stewie is also averaging a double-double and has been the Liberty’s go-to option in clutch moments. The Liberty would be much worse off without her, and she should be in the MVP mix all season long.

1. Alyssa Thomas, F, Connecticut Sun

Thomas has been the Sun’s MVP for a few seasons now but has had to share the floor with Jonquel Jones, who won league MVP in 2021. Now, Jones is gone, and Thomas’ true value has been on full display. The Sun had a lot of change during the off-season, but have not missed a beat, largely due to Thomas’ impact. She leads the league in rebounds and double-doubles and is third in assists. The Sun are 6-1 despite a coaching change and losing a league MVP, and their continued success will fuel AT’s MVP campaign.

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