Note: WNBA.com’s Race to the MVP, released every week during the season, is the
opinion of this writer and does not reflect the views of the WNBA or its clubs.
Archive: Preseason Edition
With less than a week of WNBA games in the books, these MVP rankings reflect a
combination of current performance and predictions for the future. An exception
is Candace Parker, who has missed the Sparks’ first two games due to a back
injury. We are removing Parker from this list until she returns to the court.
Here are the first MVP rankings of the regular season.
1. Brittney Griner, Phoenix Mercury Preseason Ranking: 1 Stats: 20.0 points, 50%
FG, 7.0 rebounds, 2.7 blocks
With the Mercury starting the season 2-1, Griner maintains her spot atop the
rankings. She had a tough night in the season opener, battling foul trouble in a
difficult matchup with Dallas Wings center Liz Cambage. But in the next two
contests – both against Seattle – Griner scored 29 and 18 points on better than
50 percent shooting in both games. She had a stellar all-around performance in
Phoenix’s win on Sunday, adding 10 rebounds, four assists and three blocks to
the 29 points (10-17 FG, 9-10 FT).
2. Sylvia Fowles, Minnesota Lynx Preseason Ranking: 2 Stats: 19.0 points, 59.3%
FG, 16.0 rebounds, 3.0 steals, 2.5 blocks
After losing in heartbreaking fashion in their season opener, the Lynx needed a
big response with Dallas coming to town on Wednesday. They turned to the
reigning MVP, and Fowles delivered. Battling inside against the 6-foot-8
Cambage, she dominated with a historic stat line of 23 points, 20 rebounds, five
steals and two blocks on 10-of-17 shooting. Fowles recorded the first 20-20 game
in Lynx history and became the first-ever WNBA player with that 20-plus points,
20-plus rebounds and five-plus steals.
3. Nneka Ogwumike, Los Angeles Sparks Preseason Ranking: 8 Stats: 22.0 points,
67.9% FG, 9.5 rebounds
No Parker, no problem. Ogwumike has the Sparks atop the standings at 2-0 heading
into a matchup with her sister Chiney and the Sun on Thursday. After dropping 19
points with nine rebounds and two steals in the thrilling win over Minnesota,
Nneka followed it up with an incredibly efficient night against Indiana that
resembled her 2016 MVP season. She finished 11-of-13 from the floor (2-2 FT, 1-1
3PT) en route to 25 points in a comfortable Sparks win.
4. Elena Delle Donne, Washington Mystics Preseason Ranking: 5 Stats: 18.0
points, 36.0% FG 8.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists
The Mystics are 2-0 despite Delle Donne not playing at her best. She struggled
mightily with her shot in the season opener, going 5-for-18 as Washington
overcame Indiana for the win. She did, however, match her career high with seven
assists that day and finished with just one turnover. Delle Donne then scored an
efficient 23 points in a victory over Las Vegas on Tuesday. The Mystics look to
improve to 3-0 when they face the Fever again Thursday.
5. Chelsea Gray, Los Angeles Sparks Preseason Ranking: Unranked Stats: 15.0
points, 42.3% FG, 8.0 assists, 4.5 rebounds, 3.5 steals
A first-time All-Star in 2017, Gray has picked up right where she left off. She
scored the game-winning bucket to beat Minnesota and cap off an outstanding
individual night (18 points, eight assists and a career-high six steals). It was
Gray’s second game-winner against the Lynx in the last eight months. Through two
games this season, she has 16 assists and just two turnovers. If she keeps it
up, Gray could stake her claim as the best point guard in the league.
6. Tina Charles, New York Liberty Preseason Ranking: 6 Stats: 19.0 points, 40%
FG, 4.0 rebounds, 2.0 steals
The Liberty have played just one game, losing 80-76 in Chicago despite a solid
night from Charles. One stat to keep an eye on: Charles attempted four
3-pointers on Sunday, which matches her season high from 2017. After attempting
about two per game last year, the veteran center could be looking to launch from
deep even more often. Next up, the Lynx come to town Friday night aiming to
spoil New York’s home opener.
7. Diana Taurasi, Phoenix Mercury Preseason Ranking: Unranked Stats: 20.3
points, 46.2% FG, 52.4% 3FG, 3.0 rebounds
On opening night, Taurasi became the first WNBA player to make 1,000 career
3-pointers. Through three games this season, she has launched 21 triples and
made 11 of them. We’ll see how long she can maintain this efficiency, but the
Mercury need her to continue scoring to reach their potential as a team.
Taurasi, who turns 36 next month, picked up the slack for Griner by dropping a
game-high 26 points in the opener against Dallas.
8. Allie Quigley, Chicago Sky Preseason Ranking: Unranked Stats: 18.0 points,
58.8% FG, 50% 3FG, 3.0 assists
Like Gray, Quigley emerged as a breakout star in 2017 and earned her first
All-Star selection. Now, despite the Sky missing veteran point guard Courtney
Vandersloot, Quigley has guided them to a 2-1 record to open the new season. She
scored 19 and 22 points in their pair of victories before being limited to 13 in
a loss to Atlanta on Wednesday.
9. Breanna Stewart, Seattle Storm Preseason Ranking: 10 Stats: 15.5 points,
39.3% FG, 13.0 rebounds, 2.0 blocks
Stewart couldn’t have had a more difficult schedule to begin the season. After
two matchups with Griner and the Mercury, the Storm emerged 1-1 thanks to an
impressive road victory Wednesday night. Stewart more than held her own with 22
points, 15 boards, three blocks and two steals on opening night. Next she faces
former UConn teammate Stefanie Dolson and the Sky on Friday.
10. Jonquel Jones, Connecticut Sun Preseason Ranking: 4 Stats: 7.0 points, 42.9%
FG, 5.0 rebounds, 3.0 steals, 2.0 blocks
Fortunately for the Sun and all WNBA fans, Jones made it to Connecticut in time
for the season opener on Sunday. The team feared she may miss time while
attending to family matters in the Bahamas. Since she missed training camp, the
Sun brought Jones off the bench Sunday, and she played just 19 minutes in a
blowout victory. They will likely continue easing her into the rotation over the
next few games.
