WNBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) Ladder Race 2024: Top 5 candidates ft. Kahleah Copper (Week 5)

Modified Jun 18, 2024 17:31 GMT

Syndication: Arizona Republic — WNBA Most Valuable Player Ladder - Week 5.

The WNBA MVP race is starting to heat up between A'ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces and Alyssa Thomas of the Connecticut Sun. Wilson and the Aces are currently struggling as a team, but she's playing the best basketball of her career. She's leading the league in points per game after Week 5.

Meanwhile, Thomas has her supporters despite the lack of scoring from her end. She's an all-around player who has led the Sun to the best record in the WNBA so far this season. They have only one defeat, at the hands of reigning MVP Breanna Stewart and the New York Liberty.

Kaleah Copper made her debut on the WNBA MVP ladder last week at the fifth spot, dethroning Arike Ogunbowale of the Dallas Wings. Ogunbowale is still a lethal scorer, but the team is on an eight-game losing streak.

WNBA 2024 Most Valuable Player Ladder - Week 5

#5 - Breanna Stewart | Forward | New York Liberty

Last Week's Ranking: #4
Games Played (Week 5) - 1 GP (1 W, 0 L)
Average (Week 5) - 14.0 PPG, 12.0 RPG, 2.0 APG, 2.0 SPG, 1.0 BPG
Average (Season) - 18.6 PPG, 9.6 RPG, 3.5 APG, 1.9 SPG, 1.0 BPG

Breanna Stewart dropped down to the fifth spot this week because she has given way to her teammates to keep the New York Liberty's winning streak alive. Stewart is still consistent as the reigning WNBA MVP, but her overall numbers are down.

Jonquel Jones has taken the spotlight for the Liberty, especially in their past three games. However, Stewart is all about the team winning and won't have any problems if Jones overtakes her in the next MVP ladder.

#4 - Kahleah Copper | Guard | Phoenix Mercury

Last Week's Ranking: #5
Games Played (Week 5) - 2 GP (1 W, 1 L)
Average (Week 5) - 24.0 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 3.5 APG, 1.5 SPG, 0.0 BPG
Average (Season) - 24.0 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 2.1 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.2 BPG

Kahleah Copper continues to be a sparkplug on offense for the Phoenix Mercury in her debut season for the franchise. Copper is currently third in scoring in the WNBA behind A'ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces and Arike Ogunbowale of the Dallas Wings.

The 29-year-old guard moved up the WNBA MVP ladder despite the Mercury's 1-1 record for Week 5. She dropped 30 points against the surging Seatle Storm, which was her fifth 30-point game of the season.

#3 - Napheesa Collier | Forward | Minnesota Lynx

Last Week's Ranking: #3
Games Played (Week 5) - 3 GP (3 W, 0 L)
Average (Week 5) - 20.0 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 3.7 APG, 3.7 SPG, 1.7 BPG
Average (Season) - 21.1 PPG, 10.3 RPG, 3.6 APG, 2.5 SPG, 1.5 BPG

Napheesa Collier remains cool as a cucumber as the No. 3 in this week's WNBA MVP ladder rankings. Collier led the Minnesota Lynx to a perfect week with three wins and no losses.

The UConn product has been very consistent this season and is a real dark horse to win the MVP award. The Lynx having the best record in the Western Conference and the third-best in the league helps her campaign.

#2 - Alyssa Thomas | Forward | Connecticut Sun

Last Week's Ranking: #2
Games Played (Week 5) - 2 GP (2 W, 0 L)
Average (Week 5) - 13.3 PPG, 11.3 RPG, 6.7 APG, 2.7 SPG 0.0 BPG
Average (Season) - 12.8 PPG, 10.0 RPG, 8.2 APG, 1.6 SPG 0.5 BPG

Some might put Alyssa Thomas in the number one spot and the legitimate WNBA MVP this season, while others would look at her scoring averages and get turned off. Thomas is one of the most versatile players in the league and it results in winning.

The Connecticut Sun has the best record in the league, with Thomas turning up her efficiency in Week 5. She will likely need to score more to convince voters to make her the MVP.

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

Last Week's Ranking: #1
Games Played (Week 5) - 3 GP (1 W, 2 L)
Average (Week 5) - 27.0 PPG, 10.7 RPG, 2.7 APG, 1.0 SPG, 1.0 BPG
Average (Season) - 28.0 PPG, 11.5 RPG, 2.6 APG, 1.7 SPG, 2.5 BPG

A'ja Wilson was emotional following the Las Vegas Aces' loss to the New York Liberty last week. Wilson is still the WNBA MVP favorite despite the Aces' terrible 6-6 record.

For those who just followed the league, the back-to-back defending champs had six total losses last year. Nevertheless, Wilson is playing like the MVP and like she's the best player in the world.

Edited by Juan Paolo David