The 2023 season gave us one of the most closely-contested MVP races in WNBA history. The Connecticut Sun’s Alyssa Thomas earned the most first-place votes and the Las Vegas Aces’ A’ja Wilson received the most second-place votes, yet the New York Liberty’s Breanna Stewart captured her second MVP award.

This year, Wilson is leaving little room for quibbling over who should receive first-, second- or third-place votes, much less fourth-place votes. She is authoritatively claiming the award she believed should have been hers last season by putting together one of the most productive seasons in league history. Yes, the Minnesota Lynx’s Napheesa Collier is making an outstanding MVP case, establishing herself as a Defensive Player of the Year candidate while serving as the offensive fulcrum for the overachieving Lynx. But when comparing Collier’s statistical resume to Wilson’s, Wilson’s overwhelms. She’s made it impossible to ignore her excellence.

The 2020 and 2022 WNBA MVP is averaging 27.2 points per game, which comfortably would surpass the highest scoring average in league history: Diana Taurasi’s 2006 average of 25.0 points per game. Taurasi’s point production was boosted her prolific 3-point shooting, when she made 3.5 3s per game; that was more than a 3-pointer more than the league’s second-most successful 3-point shooter that season. Although Wilson is looking evermore comfortable from behind the arc, evidenced by her 38.9 percent mark from deep, she’s still taking just 1.6 3s per game. That means she’s doing much of her damage inside the arc, and she’s still unstoppable. Wilson not only expertly marshals her athletic advantages to power her way to points, but she also dips into an ever deeper bag of moves, middies and more. She’s become more successful at leveraging the defensive attention she receives, setting up her teammates for scores with a career-high 2.5 assists per game. With more than two offensive rebounds per game, she also extends possessions for the defending champs.

Wilson’s offensive game is enough to have her at the forefront of any MVP conversation. Add in her defense, and the award should be signed, sealed and delivered to Sin City. As Edwin Garcia argued, Wilson could capture her third-straight Defensive Player of the Year award. She impressively combines effort and intelligence on the defensive end of the floor, not only knowing the play that needs to be made but exerting the energy required to make it. She will battle with the best bigs, capably switch onto guards, execute a late contest, induce turnovers and end possessions with a defensive board. She leads the league with 9.7 defensive rebounds per game, while also claiming the blocks crown with 2.8 per game. Her 1.8 steals per game is the sixth-best mark in the W.

Wilson’s two-way play has resulted in her frequently attaining rare and unique statistical achievements. On Sunday, she set a WNBA single-season record with 11 games of more than 25 points and 10 rebounds. She’s one of 15 players in WNBA history to notch a game of 20 points and 20 rebounds. And she became the only player in the league history to score at least 20 points in 20-straight games. She’s already been named Western Conference Player of the Week three times, while she was the Western Conference Player of the Month for May and June. She’s also the all-time leading scorer and rebounder in franchise history.

Wilson’s elite tangibles are matched by her equally elite intangibles. She’s a leader who uplifts her teammates and takes accountability for her team’s shortcomings. She does not use her greatness as permission to be above her team; instead, she understands and accepts her responsibility as the foundation of the aspiring Aces dynasty. Wilson possesses an alchemy of ability and attitude that has her poised to earn her third (and should have been fourth?) MVP award.

Of course, the season is just over halfway complete. Wilson’s Aces have played 23 of 40 games. Things can change. It’s hard to know how the month-long break for the 2024 Olympic Games could shift the contours of the season. However, at this moment, it feels like, whatever happens, Wilson will make sure the 2024 WNBA MVP award belongs to her.

Over the past week, some of the best in women’s basketball have received the honors and opportunities they deserve. Catch up on the biggest happenings:

A’ja x NBA 2K25

A’ja Wilson is the cover athlete for the WNBA Edition of NBA 2K25, the video game announced on Wednesday.

Queen of the courts

On Friday, the Phoenix Mercury announced that the courts at the franchise’s forthcoming practice facility will be named after Diana Taurasi.

Unrivaled unveiled

On Tuesday, Unrivaled, the 3-on-3 women’s league co-founded by Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier, began announcing its 30 participants, beginning with Stewart and Collier. Chelsea Gray and Arike Ogunbowale were the third and fourth participants to be revealed, with Jewell Loyd rounding out the first five. That’s quite the quintet. Who’s next? Follow Unrivaled on X to find out.

Women’s hoops owned the ESPYs

Need more evidence for the rising prominence of women’s basketball in American sports culture? The ESPY’s provided it, highlighted LSU star Flau’jae Johnson showing off her versatility, dropping bars with just as much ease as she gets buckets.

Dawn Staley received the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance, while her team, the 39-0 and national champion South Carolina Gamecocks, were honored with the Best Team award.

Staley’s most successful protégé, A’ja Wilson, won the Best WNBA Player award.

Caitlin Clark took home the Best Women’s Sports College Athlete award, as well as the Best Record-Breaking Performance award for becoming the NCAA Division I all-time leading scorer.

Finally, JuJu Watkins received the Best Breakthrough Athlete award.

Second All-Female BWB Camp at WNBA All-Star 2024

At WNBA All-Star 2024, the WNBA, NBA and FIBA will host the second Basketball Without Borders (BWB) Global girls camp, with nearly 40 top high-school-aged prospects from 24 non-US countries set to participate in the three-day event.

Former WNBA and FIBA players and coaches will serve as coaches, including WNBA Coaches Development Program participants Edniesha Curry, Shey Peddy, April Sykes and Kelly Raimon. Allison Feaster, former WNBA player and current Vice President of Team Operations and Organizational Growth for the Boston Celtics, will be the camp director.

Sunday will feature four WNBA games, with the highlight undoubtedly being the matchup between the Indiana Fever (10-14) and the Minnesota Lynx (16-7) at 4 p.m. ET on ESPN.

This will be the final weekend of regular season basketball for a month, with the WNBA All-Star Game and the Olympic break approaching. So, let’s see what the matchups are and what to expect from each team on Sunday.

The Mercury are short-handed as the Sun continue to shine

The Phoenix Mercury (12-11) have had positive moments this year, but with a nasty injury bug, they find themselves lacing enough healthy players to bring forth the best version of themselves. It’s one reason they were blown out against the Indiana Fever on Friday and why they will be the underdog against the Connecticut Sun (17-5) on Sunday (1 p.m. ET, ABC).

For Connecticut, they are also coming off a defeat, albeit against the New York Liberty on the road by just three points. If the Sun can continue to get their usual production from players like Alyssa Thomas, DeWanna Bonner and Brionna Jones, they should cruise to victory against a Mercury team waiting for the break so they can reset.

Two teams, two different directions

The Las Vegas Aces (15-7) are in prime form, having won nine of their last 10 games. The Washington Mystics (6-17) are the opposite of that, losing four of their previous six contests

Essentially, the Mystics’ only advantage is hosting the defending champions at home as they attempt to earn their biggest win of the year (3 p.m. ET, CBS Sports Network). Washington’s path to victory will be arduous, as Las Vegas has too many offensive weapons to contain, including A’ja Wilson, Chelsea Gray, Kelsey Plum, and Jackie Young.

Fever-Lynx is the game of the day

The Indiana Fever’s (10-14) start to the season was rough, but now they are in their best form, with quality wins against the Mercury and the Liberty.

Indiana has the talent, with an All-Star trio in Caitlin Clark, Aliyah Boston and Kelsey Mitchell, but the Minnesota Lynx (16-7) will prove to be a much tougher challenge (4 p.m. ET, ESPN). They are 16-7 on the season and might get back their superstar, Napheesa Collier, who is questionable to return from her foot injury on Sunday.

If Collier plays, containing her is an exercise in futility; the goal has to be to disrupt her offensive flow as much as possible. A win by the Fever would prove they might be ready for playoff basketball this year. A blowout loss would signify that, while they’ve shown promise, there is a long way to go before they are a team to take seriously.

Storm could wrap up Sunday with an easy win

Similar to the Lynx, the Seattle Storm (15-8) seem prepared to contend for the title this year. That means not only beating the best but also pummeling the worst. This Sunday, they’ll be able to demonstrate just how big that gap when they play the Atlanta Dream (7-15) at home (6 p.m. ET, League Pass).

Atlanta is hanging out in the WNBA basement this year as it rebuilds and retools, while the Storm have Nneka Ogwumike, Jewell Loyd and Skylar Diggins-Smith ready to give Seattle its fifth title. If the Storm are who I think they are, expect this one to be over by halftime.

Game information

Connecticut Sun (17-5) vs. Phoenix Mercury (12-11)

When: Sunday, July 14 at 1 p.m. ET

Where: Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT

How to watch: ABC

Sun injury report: Moriah Jefferson (out; ankle)

Mercury injury report: Diana Taurasi (questionable; lower leg), Natasha Cloud (questionable; left knee), Brittney Griner (questionable; right hip), Sug Sutton (out; right hamstring), Charmisma Osborne (out; lower left leg)

Washington Mystics (6-17) vs. Las Vegas Aces (15-7)

When: Sunday, July 14 at 3 p.m. ET

Where: Entertainment & Sports Arena in Washington, DC

How to watch: CBS Sports Network/Monumental

Aces injury report: none

Mystics injury report: Brittney Sykes (out; left foot), Shakira Austin (out; left hip), Karlie Samuelson (out; left hand fracture)

Minnesota Lynx (16-7) vs. Indiana Fever (10-14)

When: Sunday, July 14 at 4 p.m. ET

Where: Target Center in Minneapolis, MN

How to watch: ESPN

Lynx injury report: Napheesa Collier (questionable; left foot), Olivia Epoupa (out; right thigh)

Fever injury report: Temi Fagbenle (out; thumb)

Seattle Storm (15-8) vs. Atlanta Dream (7-15)

When: Sunday, July 14 at 6 p.m. ET

Where: Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, WA

How to watch: WNBA League Pass

Storm injury report: none

Dream injury report: Aerial Powers (questionable; calf), Jordin Canada (out; broken finger), Rhyne Howard (out; left ankle)

The Chicago Sky (9-14) started strong against the New York Liberty (20-4), jumping out to a 10-3 lead. The home team was shooting the ball extremely well, particularly from the 3-point line. They also were crashing the boards and stifling the Liberty at the perimeter.

The Sky seemed poised for a potential victory. Until the second quarter.

The Liberty, who were without reigning WNBA MVP Breanna Stewart, would go on to outscore the Sky 29-13 in the second period to take a 43-34 lead at the half. The sharp shooting of Sabrina Ionescu (28 points, six assists, three rebounds), post play of Jonquel Jones (14 points, nine rebounds, seven assists), 3-point shooting of Leonie Fiebich (13 points, three 3-pointers) and high-field goal percentage of Ivana Dojkic (12 points, 80 percent shooting) was hard to contend with. Chicago looked fatigued and out of sorts after a fast start. The Sky also experienced some uncanniness on the part of some of their top talent. Most notably from Chennedy Carter. She didn’t play the entire third quarter and she didn’t score until the midway point of the fourth quarter.

After clawing their way back in the third quarter, the Sky seemed poised for a comeback. The 3-point shooting of Marina Mabrey, dynamic duo of Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso in the paint and the unexpected heroics of bench player Michaela Onyenwere were doing wonders.

However fatigue, defensive struggles in transition, turnovers and some questionable officiating led to their demise towards the end.

The most notable moment involved Reese, as she was poised to extend her record 15-game double-double streak. At the 2:02 minute mark, Reese, who had 8 points and over 10 rebounds, went for the putback shot before she was apparently blocked from behind by Jonquel Jones. The instant replay clearly showed a foul, but, much to the dismay of the hometown crowd, it wasn’t called. Her consecutive double-double streak ended with eight points and 16 rebounds.

The Sky had some other notable performances:

Marina Mabrey

She came away with her own double-double of 21 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists. Mabrey also went 4-for-7 (57.1 percent) from the 3-point line.

The Sky have one of the lowest 3-point percentages in the league (31.4 percent). As the team looks ahead to the second half of the season, Mabrey noted that more perimeter shooting from other players is in the cards. She shared:

I’m a big advocate for 3s. I thought it was great Mic (Onyenwere) came in and hit some 3s, Dana (Evans) hit a 3. Also people just willing to take them and keep practicing them, especially our younger players who aren’t used to taking as many jump shots. You know, they have a ton of time to develop in this league. You know, if you work on your shot, you’re going to get to make it and drive the defense out.

Michaela Onyenwere

Coming off the bench to provide some relief for Carter, Onyenwere put on an incredible show. She hit some big shots as she finished with 14 points, as well as two rebounds. She went 6-for-7 (85.6 percent) from the field and went 2-for-2 from the 3-point line.

Kamilla Cardoso

Matched up against Jones in the paint, Cardoso was able to hold her own. She got good looks inside and crashed the boards, resulting in six points and five rebounds. After the game, head coach Teresa Weatherspoon noted that she was satisfied with Cardoso’s offensive involvement, saying:

I was happy to see the ball going in allowing our bigs to touch it. Kamila is always able to make her own corrections and she does it very well. Obviously, it was good to see her touching the ball being as aggressive as she could around the rim. I won’t go any further than that because I think she is very aggressive down there.

Lindsay Allen

The veteran starting point guard was able to engage in some effective playmaking. Along the way, she was able to make some critical shots as she finished with eight points and four assists.

The Chicago Sky (9-14) will play the Las Vegas Aces (15-7) on July 16 at 10 p.m. ET.