There is no longer a consensus around the three-time MVP.
Amid a down year for the Las Vegas Aces, A'ja Wilson now finds herself in an unusual position: the WNBA's three-time MVP and two-time champion may no longer be regarded as the league's top player.
At least, that is what the results of an anonymous player poll conducted by The Athletic tell us.
Among 36 WNBA players polled, 17 told The Athletic that Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier is the league's best player at present. Fifteen players backed Wilson, while Breanna Stewart received two votes. Atlanta's Allisha Gray and Phoenix's Alyssa Thomas split the remaining two.
MORE: A’ja Wilson stats prove she’s in a league of her own in wild Aces finish over Valkyries
“(Collier) has had an incredible last couple years. She just hasn’t quite gotten there," one player told The Athletic. "Last year she had an MVP season, but A’ja had an insane season, and I think (Collier) is continuing to grow this year.”
Collier, one of this year's two All-Star Game captains, is the odds-on MVP favorite as Minnesota's team leader and franchise player. The reigning Defensive Player of the Year is averaging a league-best 23.6 points per game midway through the season, and she appears to be a lock for her fourth All-WNBA selection at year's end. At 18-4, the Lynx hold the WNBA's top record, ahead of the Thomas-led Mercury.
In contrast, Wilson's Aces have struggled to a 10-11 record; if the season ended today, Las Vegas would miss the playoffs, two years after winning a championship. Wilson's average of 21.5 points per game is her lowest in three years, while her field goal percentage has tumbled from 52 percent to 47 percent in response to the Aces' struggles on offense.
However, Wilson issued a timely reminder of her greatness on Saturday, when the Aces held off the Golden State Valkyries at Michelob Ultra Arena. In the narrow 104-100 victory, Wilson made her return from a right wrist injury and dropped 34 points, while hauling in 16 rebounds, dishing out four assists and blocking two shots.
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Category: Basketball
