Allisha Gray of the Atlanta Dream has significantly risen in the Allisha Gray WNBA MVP Race thanks to a standout stretch this season. Gray has delivered consistent performances over recent weeks, climbing the ladder in this week’s MVP power rankings while A’ja Wilson has dropped to fifth place. This shift highlights Gray’s growing influence on the court as the Dream contend for a top seed with less than two months left in the regular season.

Updates on Key Contenders and Their Teams

Sabrina Ionescu continues to shoulder much of the New York Liberty’s offense as Breanna Stewart remains sidelined with a knee injury of uncertain duration. Meanwhile, Alyssa Thomas anchors the Phoenix Mercury with impressive displays, despite the team’s struggles. Napheesa Collier’s MVP chances are in question after sustaining an avoidable ankle injury, which has sparked concerns regarding Minnesota Lynx’s championship ambitions.

Detailed Look at the Week 12 MVP Power Rankings

In Week 12, Allisha Gray played four games, helping the Atlanta Dream achieve a 3-1 record. She posted averages of 18.8 points, five rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.8 steals, and 0.3 blocks per game that week, improving her season averages to 18.7 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.2 steals, and 0.4 blocks. Her resurgence was marked by a rebound from a poor outing against the Golden State Valkyries, setting her up for a strong MVP finish.

Conversely, A’ja Wilson, the reigning MVP, experienced a downturn. Over three games in Week 12, Wilson recorded 19.3 points, 9.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 2.7 steals, and 1.3 blocks per game, which dipped below her season averages of 21.3 points, 9.2 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.7 steals, and 2.3 blocks. The Las Vegas Aces, now seventh in the league with 15 games remaining, struggle with consistency after their recent championship success. Jackie Young has tried to fill the gap left by Kelsey Plum, while anticipated chemistry between Chelsea Gray and Jewell Loyd hasn’t fully materialized.

Sabrina Ionescu’s recent output has been remarkable. In Week 12, across three games, she averaged 30.0 points, 7.7 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 1.3 steals per game, improving her season stats to 20.4 points, 4.9 rebounds, 5.6 assists, and 1.5 steals. Nonetheless, the Liberty posted only one win against two losses during that span, illustrating the challenges the team faces without Stewart.

Alyssa Thomas performed strongly despite the Phoenix Mercury’s 1-2 record over three Week 12 games, averaging 18 points, 11.7 rebounds, 6.7 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.0 block per game. She raised her season averages to 16.0 points, 8.4 rebounds, nine assists, 1.4 steals, and 0.5 blocks. Thomas hit a career-high 32 points against the Indiana Fever and recorded a triple-double during a victory over the Chicago Sky, embodying her central role in the Mercury’s offense.

For the Minnesota Lynx, Napheesa Collier lost ground early in the week due to an injury sustained in an avoidable situation. Despite a strong MVP candidacy supported by 24 points, six rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.5 blocks during two games in Week 12, Collier’s ankle sprain raises uncertainties as the Lynx prepare for a late-season push. The injury came during a game when they were leading the Las Vegas Aces by nearly 50 points, a scenario that might have been prevented if coach Cheryl Reeve had rested Collier.

What This Means for the Remainder of the WNBA Season

Allisha Gray’s upward momentum in the WNBA MVP race adds new excitement to the late-season narrative, especially as A’ja Wilson’s drop in form reflects broader struggles for a once-dominant Las Vegas Aces team. Sabrina Ionescu’s scoring surge keeps the New York Liberty in contention but highlights the challenges posed by Breanna Stewart’s absence. Alyssa Thomas remains a vital asset for the Phoenix Mercury, although her team’s inconsistent performances call for more support from teammates to maximize impact.

Napheesa Collier’s injury is a crucial setback, potentially altering the Minnesota Lynx’s championship hopes and reshuffling the MVP race dynamics. How the Lynx manage her recovery and any adjustments they make will be critical in the closing stages of the season. Meanwhile, Allisha Gray’s consistent contributions position her as a genuine contender to finish among the top candidates for the league’s most prestigious award.