Race to MVP: June 23


The 2015 season is still very young, but it’s already clear who the early favorite is to take home the WNBA Most Valuable Player award at the end of the season. Elena Delle Donne’s torrid start is turning heads, and for good reason: the third-year star has a 40-point game and has scored at least 24 points in every game this year. For the second straight week, she leads a talented pack of WNBA stars vying for WNBA MVP honors.


1. Elena Delle Donne

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To say Elena Delle Donne is simply “playing well” wouldn’t do her early season performances justice. She’s playing on another level right now. The forward is averaging 29.3 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 1.1 steals per game. Additionally, she’s tied for the league lead in blocked shots. EDD has made 48-of-50 free throws, is shooting 54 percent from the floor and has a 40-point game as well as a 31-point game.

2. Skylar Diggins

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Tulsa is off to its best start in franchise history — 6-1 and atop the Western Conference standings — and Skylar Diggins has been the catalyst, especially with Odyssey Sims’ absence due to an injury. Diggins scored 26 points and logged eight assists in the Shock’s win over the Minnesota Lynx on Sunday. In all, she’s averaging 17.1 points, 5.0 assists and 1.6 steals per contest. Her continued growth and leadership on the court is vital to Tulsa’s success.

3. Maya Moore

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The Lynx are off to a 5-2 start, and although Maya Moore isn’t shooting particularly well (37.6 FG%, the lowest of her career), she’s still finding ways to help get the job done. The reigning MVP is averaging 17.9 points, 6.2 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game. Her shooting numbers will likely normalize as the season continues, which would help keep her within striking distance of defending her MVP crown.

4. Angel McCoughtry

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Things haven’t gone quite as well in the early going as the Atlanta Dream would probably like, but one positive has been the play of Angel McCoughtry. The Dream may be 3-4, but it isn’t for a lack of contribution from McCoughtry. In fact, two of Atlanta’s three wins have come on McCoughtry game-winning shots. She leads the league in shots attempted, is second in shots made and is averaging 19.1 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game.

5. DeWanna Bonner

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DeWanna Bonner knew she had to take on more of the scoring load without Brittney Griner in the fold for the first seven games. And, well, she’s answered the call. Bonner is second in the league in points per game (20.2) and is pacing the Mercury as they work through some early season absences. Griner returns later this week, but look for Bonner to continue being aggressive as the defending champs try to hit their stride.

6. Alex Bentley

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The Connecticut Sun are 6-1 and first in the Eastern Conference due in large part to the play of guard Alex Bentley. Her move to the shooting guard spot this season at the behest of head coach Anne Donovan has been a success. The Penn State product has been getting it done on both ends of the floor. She scored 19 points, and 21 points, respectively, in the Sun’s recent road wins against Phoenix and Los Angeles. Oh, and she also leads the league in total steals (23) and steals per game (3.29).

7. Tina Charles

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As Tina Charles goes, so go the Liberty. She struggled in the Liberty’s two recent losses to Washington and Indiana, but responded with a 13-point, 12-rebound performance in the win over Atlanta. The 2012 MVP is the heart and soul of a Liberty squad that’s has a lot of promise.

8. Cappie Pondexter

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Elena Delle Donne is the name that comes to mind when talking about the Chicago Sky, but veteran guard Cappie Pondexter has been just as important. The six-time All-Star is already making an impact in her first season back in her hometown. She’s averaging 16.7 points and 4.5 rebounds per game. She scored 24 points and added three three-pointers and four steals in Chicago’s win over San Antonio.

9. Brittney Griner

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The Mercury have scrapped their way to three wins this season, and the return of Brittney Griner later this week will be greatly anticipated. She’s slated to take the court for her season debut against the Minnesota Lynx on June 27 on ESPN2 at 8 p.m. ET.

10. Nneka Ogwumike

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Los Angeles’ slow start continued this past week, and it’s obvious they are missing the 2013 Rookie of the Year. Ogwumike’s return could come soon (she’s been day-to-day with an ankle injury) and that would be music to the ears of Brian Agler, who is still searching for his first win as the Sparks head coach.

Also Considered:

Emma Meesseman (WAS); Candice Dupree (PHX); Seimone Augustus (MIN)

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