The 2022 WNBA season is off to a fantastic start. It is amazing to see all the talent night in and night out as teams settle into the season. Surprisingly, Atlanta is off to a 3-1 start while Seattle is 1-3 and Minnesota is 0-4. More players that are overseas are making their way back to the W this week so teams will have full rosters and hopefully more balance moving forward. Unfortunately health and safety protocols are in place for a few players and that is definitely impacting team performance. Although it may be a bit premature, it is time to take a peek at the 2022 WNBA MVP power rankings.
BRITTNEY GRINER
First and foremost, Brittney Griner needs to be on any 2022 WNBA MVP Power Rankings list. The fact is, if she were playing in the WNBA right now she would be dominating the game. Sadly, BG has been wrongfully detained in Russia for almost 90 days too long. Hopefully the White House prioritizes BG’s safe return immediately. If she returns home during the season, and if BG wants to play ball, then this award is hers for the taking.
SYLVIA FOWLES
Adding Sylvia Fowles to the 2022 WNBA MVP power rankings is a no brainer. In her final WNBA season, Fowles is averaging 17.8 points, 9.3 rebounds, and shooting a whopping 61.5% from the field. She is doing this as the Lynx change rosters on almost a daily basis. Throughout all the upheaval, Fowles is a rock. She is consistent, above and beyond a team player, and downright amazing to watch. If Minnesota stands a chance at a playoff run, Fowles will be the main reason it happens. Therefore, Fowles is a frontrunner in this season’s MVP race.
A’JA WILSON
No 2022 WNBA MVP power rankings list would be complete without A’ja Wilson as a contender. Wilson is one of the most complete players in the league. In four games she already has three double-doubles. She is the 17th leading scorer (15.0 PPG), the 2nd leading rebounder (11.0), and also number one in blocks per game (3.8). In addition, Wilson is shooting 52.3% from the field and 33.3% from three-point land. More touches for Wilson equals more wins for the Aces. When that happens, Wilson may be a shoo-in for league MVP.
JEWELL LOYD
Another 2022 WNBA MVP contender, Jewell Loyd, is making the game look easy. It has been an interesting start to the season for the Storm. Mercedes Russell is out with an injury and Breanna Stewart entered the league’s health and safety protocols last week. Through it all Loyd keeps showing up, shooting lights out. Loyd is averaging averaging 22.0 points a game while shooting 42.6% from the field and 43.3% from beyond the arc. She is second in the league in scoring and third in three-pointers made. Once Seattle has a healthy roster, Loyd’s MVP stock will rise and storm the W.
ELENA DELLE DONNE
Boy is it nice having Elena Delle Donne playing for the Mystics again. Her play is smooth and effortless. Even though she will not be playing all 36 games this season, Delle Donne has looked impressive in the three games she has played so far. Shooting 50.0% from the field and 37.5% from beyond the arc, Della Donne is averaging 20.0 points a game. She is also averaging 7.0 rebounds per game. As Delle Donne continues to find her rhythm, watch out league, her numbers may reach mystical proportions.
JONQUEL JONES
Rounding out this week’s 2022 WNBA MVP power rankings is none other than reigning MVP Jonquel Jones. Although JJ has gotten off to a slow start per MVP standards, the Sun have only played two games so far this season. Expect her numbers and her game to shine bright as she settles into the season. Still, after two games, JJ is averaging 15.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, and she is shooting 42.9% from the field. The race for MVP is already tight but do not count out JJ winning the crown for a second year in a row.
WATCHLIST
The WNBA has a plethora of amazing players going all out this season. Keep an eye on Skylar Diggins-Smith, Candace Parker, Alyssa Thomas, and Stewie as they make a strong push for 2022 WNBA MVP consideration. Diggins-Smith is playing out of this world for the Mercury. Parker continues to play rock solid, high-rise games on the nightly. Thomas, with two bum shoulders finds a way to dazzle every game. Expect Stewie to bring the thunder and lightning after clearing health and safety protocols. Adding a measure of intrigue, add Rhyne Howard to the watchlist. She is having a veteran’s fantasy season as a rookie. Put the world on notice times infinity, this season’s MVP race is lit.
