Despite the Las Vegas Aces' inconsistencies throughout the 2025 WNBA campaign, one superstar has continued to propel herself into contention for the Most Valuable Player award for a second consecutive season.
A'ja Wilson has been a two-way menace again this year, with teams struggling to manufacture an effective formula to limit her dominance. The 28-year-old has averaged 21.3 points, 9.2 rebounds, 1.7 steals, and 2.3 blocks as the Aces have stumbled to a 15-14 record.
Many believed that it would be the Minnesota Lynx's leading light, Napheesa Collier, who would be Wilson's fiercest competitor for the prestigious accolade come the end of the campaign. However, after stringing together a stunning set of performances, it is a sharpshooter from the 'Big Apple' who could still walk away with the MVP award.
Sabrina Ionescu has been on a tear lately
It was a questionable start to the year by the sky-high standards of Sabrina Ionescu, even though the New York Liberty came out of the traps hot as the season commenced, winning all nine of their opening fixtures. The former Oregon guard's efficiency struggles fuelled a concerning patch of form for the reigning champions. Ionescu's most agonizing showing came in an 81-78 victory against the Golden State Valkyries on June 26, as the 27-year-old could only record a 9.1 field goal percentage.
Nevertheless, the New York star has recovered sensationally in recent weeks, picking up July's Eastern Conference Player of the Month while averaging 21.4 points, 6.6 assists, and 5.5 rebounds amidst a five-game winning streak for her franchise.
In addition to her incredible performances in July, Ionescu registered her 1000th career assist during a 36-point performance in a 87-78 victory over the Connecticut Sun on August 3. This achievement etched the Liberty's fan favourite into WNBA history as the third-fastest player ever to reach this milestone. She did it in just 170 games. Only Teresa Weatherspoon (159 games) and Ticha Penicheiro (134 games) have managed this feat quicker, according to NYL Stats.
Sabrina Ionescu has reached 1,000 career assists, joining Teresa Weatherspoon as the only NY Liberty players to do so.
— NYL Stats (@NYL_Stats) August 3, 2025
She’s the 42nd in WNBA history and the 3rd fastest ever to reach this milestone (170 games), behind only Ticha Penicheiro (134) and Weatherspoon (159).
The question is: what factor should determine the winner of the MVP award? Does individual brilliance in every category make a player more deserving of the accolade? Or is it more important that inspirational performances contribute to a team that is dominating the Eastern Conference?
In the case of Sabrina Ionescu, she will be pinning her hopes on the latter statement as the star aims to become the second-ever New York Liberty player to win the award, after her legendary teammate Breanna Stewart was named MVP in 2023.