WNBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) Ladder Race 2024: Top 5 candidates ft. Sabrina Ionescu (Week 9)

A'ja Wilson has cemented herself as the favorite to win the WNBA Most Valuable Player Award this season. Wilson has been the best player in women's basketball and there seems to be no stopping the Las Vegas Aces superstar. She'll try to conquer the world as well in the upcoming Paris Olympics with Team USA.

While it seems like the MVP race is over, there are still some players who are trying their best to make it a little bit competitive. Breanna Stewart remains a force for the New York Liberty and Alyssa Thomas is the battery that keeps the Connecticut Sun.

Napheesa Collier was the closest player to Wilson in the rankings this season, but an injury has knocked her off the ladder this week. Collier didn't play any games and it seems like she'll be out until the All-Star break but will be healthy enough for the Olympics.

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WNBA 2024 Most Valuable Player Ladder - Week 9

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#5 - Kahleah Copper | Guard | Phoenix Mercury

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

• Last Week's Ranking: #5
• Games Played (Week 9) - 3 GP (1 W, 2 L)
• Average (Week 9) - 28.3 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 2.3 APG, 0.0 SPG, 0.0 BPG
• Average (Season) - 23.3 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 2.3 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.1 BPG

Kaleah Copper had a huge week for the Phoenix Mercury, averaging 28.3 points per game. Copper has been showcasing her scoring prowess in her first year in Phoenix and is currently second in points per game.

The 29-year-old guard remains at No. 5 in this week's WNBA MVP ladder since the Mercury went 1-2. She might be scoring all the points she can but it has not translated into wins, so she stays put.

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#4 - Sabrina Ionescu | Guard | New York Liberty

Sabrina Ionescu | Guard | New York Liberty (Photo: IMAGN)

• Last Week's Ranking: NR
• Games Played (Week 9) - 3 GP (3 W, 0 L)
• Average (Week 9) - 23.3 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 5.0 APG, 1.3 SPG, 0.3 BPG
• Average (Season) - 19.4 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 6.2 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.3 BPG

Sabrina Ionescu continues to have the best season of her career and has seemingly been on par with Breanna Stewart in terms of importance with the New York Liberty. Ionescu has carried the Liberty to some of their victories, while Stewart takes a backseat.

The Oregon product helped New York stay undefeated in Week 9 with a 3-0 record, including a game wherein Stewart sat out due to injury. If Ionescu can continue performing like this week, she could be a mainstay on the weekly WNBA MVP ladder.

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#3 - Alyssa Thomas | Forward | Connecticut Sun

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

• Last Week's Ranking: #3
• Games Played (Week 9) - 2 GP (1 W, 1 L)
• Average (Week 9) - 4.5 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 5.5 APG, 0.5 SPG 0.5 BPG
• Average (Season) - 11.2 PPG, 9.2 RPG, 7.7 APG, 1.5 SPG 0.5 BPG

Alyssa Thomas is barely hanging on her spot in the WNBA MVP ladder and the only thing saving her from completely falling off is the Connecticut Sun's results as a team. Thomas averaged a triple-single in Week 9, which won't impress the voters this season.

The veteran's numbers are down across the board this season, so it would be hard to see her finish second like last year. Nevertheless, a Top 5 finish is not out of the question, especially with Sun finished with a Top 4 record.

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#2 - Breanna Stewart | Forward | New York Liberty

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

• Last Week's Ranking: #4
• Games Played (Week 9) - 2 GP (2 W, 0 L)
• Average (Week 9) - 18.5 PPG, 9.0 RPG, 4.0 APG, 1.0 SPG, 2.5 BPG
• Average (Season) - 19.3 PPG, 9.0 RPG, 4.0 APG, 2.0 SPG, 1.5 BPG

Breanna Stewart jumped into No. 2 in the WNBA MVP ladder this week despite missing one game due to an injury. Stewart remained solid for the New York Liberty although there's a chance Sabrina Ionescu could overtake her in the second half of the season.

Napheesa Collier was the solid second in the past few weeks but missed all her games in Week 9. Collier will likely return after the Olympics, so she has plenty of time to get back in the WNBA MVP ladder.

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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 9) - 3 GP (3 W, 0 L)
• Average (Week 9) - 28.3 PPG, 18.3 RPG, 1.3 APG, 2.0 SPG, 3.7 BPG
• Average (Season) - 27.2 PPG, 11.9 RPG, 2.5 APG, 1.8 SPG, 2.8 BPG

A'ja Wilson was already playing like an MVP in the first eight weeks of the season. There was no question that Wilson was the favorite to win the WNBA MVP award, but she went out of her in Week 9 to deliver an emphatic message.

Wilson averted 28.3 points, 18.3 rebounds and 3.7 blocks in three games last week. She's first in scoring and blocks this season and a close second in rebounds. She's also fifth in steals, so she could be in the running for WNBA Defensive Player of the Year as well.