WNBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) Ladder Race 2024: Top 5 candidates ft. Breanna Stewart (Week 8)

This year's race for the WNBA Most Valuable Player award seems to be shifting toward A'ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces as the overwhelming favorite. With the season nearing its halfway point, the award is likely Wilson's to lose to Napheesa Collier, Alyssa Thomas or Breanna Stewart.

These four players are the consensus four-best players in the WNBA this season, with Wilson as the obvious cream of the crop. Collier was closer early in the season, but an injury slowed her down this week. Thomas is putting up worse numbers than last season, while Stewart has the luxury of having Jonquel Jones and Sabrina Ionescu.

Other potential candidates for the WNBA MVP include Kahleah Copper, Jewell Loyd and Sabrina Ionescu, who are likely battling for the fifth spot in the ladder every week. Caitlin Clark should be getting close, especially if the Indiana Fever becomes a .500 team in the second half of the season.

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WNBA 2024 Most Valuable Player Ladder - Week 8

#5 - Kahleah Copper | Guard | Phoenix Mercury

Kahleah Copper | Guard | Phoenix Mercury (Photo: IMAGN)

• Last Week's Ranking: NR
• Games Played (Week 8) - 2 GP (2 W, 0 L)
• Average (Week 8) - 29.5 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 3.0 APG, 0.0 SPG, 0.0 BPG
• Average (Season) - 22.5 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 2.3 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.1 BPG

Kahleah Copper is back in the top-five this week after an explosive two-game performance against the Dallas Wings and LA Sparks. She has been a consistent source of points for the Phoenix Mercury.

The 29-year-old star is enjoying her first year in Phoenix, leading them to a winning record near the halfway point of the WNBA season. Her place in the top-five isn't secured, with Jewell Loyd, Sabrina Ionescu and Caitlin Clark on her tail.

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#4 - Breanna Stewart | Forward | New York Liberty

Breanna Stewart | Forward | New York Liberty (Photo: IMAGN)

• Last Week's Ranking: #3
• Games Played (Week 8) - 2 GP (1 W, 1 L)
• Average (Week 8) - 15.5 PPG, 11.5 RPG, 4.5 APG, 2.0 SPG, 1.5 BPG
• Average (Season) - 19.4 PPG, 9.0 RPG, 4.0 APG, 2.1 SPG, 1.4 BPG

Breanna Stewart drops to No. 4 in the WNBA MVP ladder this week despite a solid performance in her two games. She averaged a double-double, but Sabrina Ionescu had a better week than her.

In terms of the MVP race, Alyssa Thomas edged her out following another triple-double from the Connecticut Sun star. Stewart will need to do more to at least finish in the top-three this season.

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#3 - Alyssa Thomas | Forward | Connecticut Sun

Alyssa Thomas | Forward | Connecticut Sun (Photo: IMAGN)

• Last Week's Ranking: #4
• Games Played (Week 8) - 2 GP (2 W, 0 L)
• Average (Week 8) - 10.0 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 11.5 APG, 1.5 SPG 0.0 BPG
• Average (Season) - 11.9 PPG, 9.4 RPG, 7.9 APG, 1.6 SPG 0.5 BPG

Alyssa Thomas is back in the Top 3 on the WNBA MVP ladder this week after a huge triple-double in one of her two games. She dropped 13 points, 10 rebounds and 14 assists in a win over the Minnesota Lynx.

Thomas might not have the same numbers as last season, when she finished runner-up to Breanna Stewart, but the Connecticut Sun have a better record. They are 17-4 and tied with the New York Liberty for the best record in the league.

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#2 - Napheesa Collier | Forward | Minnesota Lynx

Napheesa Collier | Forward | Minnesota Lynx (Photo: IMAGN)

• Last Week's Ranking: #2
• Games Played (Week 8) - 2 GP (0 W, 2 L)
• Average (Week 8) - 12.0 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 3.5 APG, 1.0 SPG, 1.5 BPG
• Average (Season) - 20.0 PPG, 10.2 RPG, 3.7 APG, 2.2 SPG, 1.5 BPG

Napheesa Collier is hanging on by a threat in the No. 2 spot in the WNBA MVP ladder this week. She suffered an injury against the Connecticut Sun, missing the Minnesota Lynx's win over the Washington Mystics on Saturday.

The 27-year-old star forward is out indefinitely with an aggravated plantar fasciitis in her left foot. There's no timeline for her return although she has been listed as day-to-day ahead of the LA Sparks game on Tuesday.

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#1 - A'ja Wilson | Forward | Las Vegas Aces

A'ja Wilson | Forward | Las Vegas Aces (Photo: IMAGN)

• Last Week's Ranking: #1
• Games Played (Week 8) - 4 GP (3 W, 1 L)
• Average (Week 8) - 27.3 PPG, 10.0 RPG, 2.5 APG, 1.5 SPG, 4.0 BPG
• Average (Season) - 27.0 PPG, 10.9 RPG, 2.7 APG, 1.8 SPG, 2.7 BPG

A'ja Wilson might have pulled away from the rest of her competition with a magnificent week for the Las Vegas Aces. She looked unstoppable in the Aces' four-game week, which resulted in a 3-1 record.

The two-time MVP averaged a double-double plus four blocks last week. She's currently the best player in the WNBA, and barring any injuries, should be taking her third MVP honors at the end of the season.