The Athletic has launched a series of sports debates in which two writers break down a specific topic. In this edition, Sabreena Merchant and Ben Pickman debate the WNBA MVP race.
Sabreena Merchant: We’re officially in WNBA awards season, with just about four weeks until the start of the playoffs. We’ve spent much of the year breaking down the rookie of the year race, but as we head down the home stretch, there is a more interesting contest at play: the race for MVP.
Ben Pickman: Las Vegas Aces star A’ja Wilson has been the clear front-runner to win her third MVP since the season began in May. She averaged 26.5 points and 12.5 rebounds in May, then increased her scoring in June and July, winning Western Conference Player of the Month in the season’s first three months and becoming the first player in WNBA history to average at least 25 points and 10 rebounds in consecutive months. She had a streak of eight consecutive games of 20 points and 10 rebounds, the longest in league history, and her streak of 20 games with 20 or more points also set a WNBA record. Though that snapped, she is still averaging 27.2 points and 13.3 rebounds on 50.8 percent shooting over her last 10 games. Simply put, she has been dominant on both ends.
Merchant: There is no denying how individually…
