After a historic season, A’ja Wilson was named the unanimous 2024 WNBA MVP. She is still putting up big numbers, averaging 22.2 points, 9.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.6 steals, and 2.1 blocks. Nevertheless, the MVP discourse has largely been focused on other players, dubbing Napheesa Collier the favorite and Alyssa Thomas her toughest challenger.
The Aces’ struggles to start the season were likely related to Wilson not being the favorite to win MVP. However, her path to winning her fourth MVP award is wide open again. The Aces are thriving, winning four consecutive games and climbing to sixth place in the regular-season standings.
If A’ja Wilson leads the Aces to a great playoff seed after such a disastrous start to the season and sets the stage for more postseason success, Wilson may secure another MVP award. A fourth MVP would set A’ja Wilson apart from even the best WNBA players. Wilson, Sheryl Swoopes, Lisa Leslie, and Lauren Jackson are all tied for most MVP awards with three. Wilson could become the sole leader in the category.
A’ja Wilson is on a tear again
Things turned around quickly for the Aces when Becky Hammon moved Jewell Loyd to the bench. The former Seattle Storm star is thriving in her new role and the Aces immediately went on a win streak. Loyd’s improvement hasn’t been the only reason for the Aces’ success, though.
A’ja Wilson has also been on a tear. She recorded three double-doubles in her last four games and exceeded the 25-point mark three times. Her biggest achievement was her historic performance against the Connecticut Sun. She finished the game with 32 points, 20 rebounds, five assists, and two steals, becoming the first player in league history to record thirty points and twenty rebounds in a single game.
Wilson continues to make history and put up MVP-worthy numbers all across the board. The one thing that sets Collier and Thomas apart from her in the MVP race is team success. Wilson is on track to change that.
Things are starting to look up for the Aces
The Aces spent most of the season battling with the Fever, Valkyries, Sparks, and Mystics for one of the final two playoff spots. That was a massive disappointment for a team that features the reigning MVP, as well as three other Olympians, and won back-to-back championships not too long ago.
Things are starting to look up. After climbing to the six-seed, the Aces are in a much better position. With a few more wins, they may even eliminate any danger of falling out of the playoff standings.
As of now, the standings are still close. The Aces and Fever have identical records with 18 wins and 14 losses. The Valkyries are a game and a half behind them, and the Storm, who currently occupy the final playoff spot, are only two games behind the Aces. The Sparks are only half a game behind the Storm.
If the Aces manage to rise even further in the standings, it will be in large part due to A’ja Wilson. She leads the team in minutes, points, rebounds, steals, and blocks.