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Aces star A'ja Wilson's 2 biggest challengers in 2024 WNBA MVP race

A'ja Wilson is the MVP favorite, but will she win the award?

By Joey Mistretta

Jul 5, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) reacts against the LA Sparks in the second half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 5, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) reacts against the LA Sparks in the second half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports / Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
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If the 2024 WNBA season ended today, A'ja Wilson would be the MVP. That is simply a fact. She finished third in voting in 2023 and that seems to have motivated the two-time MVP, as she is enjoying one of her best seasons of her career in 2024.

Wilson currently leads the league in scoring with 27.2 points per game. She is second in rebounds per outing (11.9) and fourth in steals per game (1.8). Wilson also leads the WNBA with 2.8 blocks per contest. Additionally, Wilson's Las Vegas Aces are only a half-game out of first place in the Western Conference.

Following an impressive performance at the Olympics, Wilson appears to be poised to win the MVP in 2024. However, are there any players who can challenge Wilson for the award? Wilson is likely going to earn the honor but there are two players who could make things interesting.

1. Sabrina Ionescu

Ionescu's New York Liberty hold the best record in the WNBA. Liberty star Breanna Stewart won the MVP in 2023. However, in 2024, it is Ionescu who is leading the team.

The three-time All-Star is averaging 19.8 points per game on 42.4 percent field goal and 35.6 percent three-point shooting. Ionescu is also recording 6.1 assists and 4.4 rebounds per outing.

Ionescu has never finished higher than eighth in WNBA MVP voting. That is likely to change this season, though. Her chances of surpassing Wilson are slim, but it is not impossible. At the very least, Ionescu will have a legitimate opportunity to finish second in the MVP race.

2. Alyssa Thomas

Alyssa Thomas has two top four MVP finishes in her career, including the 2023 season which saw her finish second behind Stewart. Thomas is only averaging 11.4 points per game in 2024, but she is second in assists per game (7.7) and fifth in rebounds per game (9.2). Thomas is also recording 1.5 steals per outing.

She will need to increase her scoring average in order to seriously establish an MVP case this year, especially with Wilson playing at such an elite level. Thomas' Connecticut Sun are 18-6 which is good for second place in the Eastern Conference. The team's performance will help Thomas' case.

Whether she wins the MVP or not, Thomas may be able to finish within the top three of voting for a second consecutive season.

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