In only a matter of a week, the door to the MVP race was flung wide open. Maya Moore took advantage and averaged 26.5 points per game, helping give the Lynx a three-game lead at the top of the Western Conference. But her capitalization on the opportunity did not come because Elena Delle Donne played poorly.
No, she simply didn’t play. The star forward was held out of the Sky’s two games with a foot injury, which allowed others to step in and show that they are worthy of being in the conversation. But that just speaks to the season EDD has put together.
Her outrageous numbers have created such a large gap between all of the other contenders that even a 26.5-point, 9-rebound weekend from Maya Moore only helped her move back into the conversation. It remains to be seen how the final 12 days of the season will play out, but if this past week was any indication, Maya Moore is ready to make a push to bring home her second MVP trophy in as many years.
The Chicago Sky went 1-1 over the past week, and they did so without Elena Delle Donne. She missed both games with a foot injury. But her performance throughout the entire season has created such a wide gap that even in her absence she remains the favorite to bring home WNBA MVP honors. If she’s held out of any remaining games and others continue to capitalize, then the conversation becomes tricky.
Minnesota surged to a three-game lead atop the Western Conference standings, and they did so behind a phenomenal week from Maya Moore. And also without Seimone Augustus and (partially) Lindsay Whalen. Moore continues to prove that she is arguably the best player in the league when she’s at her best. She averaged 26.5 points and 9 rebounds over the past week and led a Lynx team that had been in the midst of some struggles. She’s now put herself back into the conversation for MVP and has plenty of time to make even more of a move.
Tina Charles has guided the Liberty to the playoffs for the first time since she’s been in New York. Her dominant play on the block has been vital to New York’s success. Her 2015 numbers are just a touch off her 2012 numbers, which earned her WNBA MVP honors, but her impact cannot be stressed enough. Charles’ ability to score from a wide variety of areas has caused havoc for teams all season long.
The Mercury slipped up this past week, going 1-2 and falling to three games behind the top seed out west. Griner, however, continued to be a downright beast on the defensive end of the floor. She recorded nine blocks in the Mercury’s loss to the Lynx Sunday on ESPN 2. For the week, Griner averaged 13 points, 9.7 rebounds and 4.33 blocks. She leads the league with 100 blocks. Oh, and second place belongs to rookie Kiah Stokes. She has 59.
For as impactful as Griner has been since she returned from her seven-game suspension, DeWanna Bonner has been just as important to Phoenix’s success. She’s shouldered a ton of the scoring load, has closed out and won games for Phoenix and is averaging the most points of her career since 2012. Bonner averaged 17 points, 6.3 rebounds and 4 assists over the Mercury’s past three games.
2015 Stats
PPG
RPG
APG
FG%
FT%
16.7
6
3.4
37.9%
87.2%
Also considered: Tamika Catchings (IND), Angel McCoughtry (ATL), Epiphanny Prince (NYL)
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