A'ja Wilson and Sabrina Ionescu are named the WNBA players of the week
MVP Periodt and the Queen of Brooklyn are making WNBA headlines.
A'ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces and Sabrina Ionescu of the New York Liberty have certainly left their mark, both on and off the court. Once rivals in the 2023 WNBA Finals, they have been named Eastern and Western Conference players of the week.
Ionescu has a signature shoe with Nike and debuted the Sabrina 2s last month. Coincidentally, around the same time, Wilson announced her own shoe, the Nike A'One. Set to debut in 2025, Wilson joins Ionescu as one of three active WNBA players with their own signature shoe.
Less than two months into the season Wilson and Ionescu are having significant impacts on their team's overall performance.
Although Wilson is a two-time WNBA Champion, MVP, and defensive player of the year, she simply still hasn't forgotten that one fourth-place MVP voter. Rightfully so, she continues to clap back at the doubters through her performance on the hardwood.
The current favorite to win the WNBA MVP, Wilson averaged 28.5 points, 12 rebounds, and three assists last week from May 27 to June 2. In addition, the former Gamecock was named Western Conference Player of the Month for a historic ninth time and fourth in a row. The streak leader is Tina Charles, who currently plays for the Atlanta Dream.
A'ja Wilson is once again performing at an MVP level
Off to a blistering start, the Aces star added eight blocks and three steals in both matchups against the Atlanta Dream and Minnesota Lynx.
4-2 on the season, Becky Hammon and the Aces suffered a rare 78-74 against the Dream on the road. However, how can we forget Wilson's unforgettable block on good friend Allisha Gray? It may not have traveled into the concession stand but was a statement block.
On pace for another historical season, Wilson started off the season with five straight double-doubles, owning the longest streak of 20+ points and 10+ rebounds in WNBA history. The league leader in blocks with 12.4, Wilson boasted 29 points, 15 rebounds, three assists, two steals, and four blocks against the Lynx. And a few days later, she put up 28 points, three assists, one steal, and four blocks against the Dream. Over the two games, Wilson shot 46.1 percent from the field.
Earning the weekly award for the 17th time in her career, Wilson has elevated her game significantly. Through six games into the 2024 season, the Aces star is averaging career-highs in points (26.5), rebounds (12.5), and blocks (2.8). Leading the league in player-estimated impact, Wilson is already poised as one of the all-time greats ever to grace the game.
Ionescu, now in her fifth season with the New York Liberty, was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week for the sixth time in her career. With an 8-2 record on the season, the former Oregon Duck led the Liberty to three consecutive victories over the Phoenix Mercury, Washington Mystics, and Indiana Fever. In that week span, Ionescu averaged 20.7 points, six assists, and 4.3 rebounds per game. Additionally, she shot an impressive 42.6 percent from long range.
The leader in three-pointers last season, the guard has now tied the New York Liberty record for most consecutive games with at least one three-pointer(35 games). While we know Ionescu as a sharpshooter, her interior presence has been well documented. Stating she's worked on her game tremendously this past offseason, we are witnessing an increased presence of floaters and inside attacks.
Sabrina Ionescu's game has evolved beyond the three-point shot
Nearly 21 percent (31) of Ionescu's 146 field goal attempts have been delivered as driving layups and floating bank shots. Compare this to last year, where she only attempted 17 floater shots. More confident than ever, the California native averages the most points since her rookie season, with 17.9 points per game. Given she only played three games in her first season, it's a testament to the dedication, growth, and evolution of her game.
Ionescu started off the week with a game-high 22 points, six rebounds, and nine assists against the Phoenix Mercury at home. According to Liberty PR, Ionescu became the first player in franchise history to record double-digit points with at least five assists in a single quarter (10 points and five assists).
Just a few days later, No. 20 poured in 24 points, one rebound, three assists, on 50 percent three-point shooting against Washington at the Barclays. To end the week, the former Oregon star put up 16 points, six rebounds, and six assists in front of 17,000+ fans against the Indiana Fever.
The Las Vegas Aces (4-2) are set to match up against the Dallas Wings, Seattle Storm, and Los Angeles Sparks this week. The New York Liberty defeated the Chicago Sky 88-75 on Tuesday night, and will matchup with Atlanta, Connecticut, and Washington later this week.
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Sara Jane Gamelli is a full-time Sportswriter, Content Creator and Social Media Manager for Ballislife Bets. She has a focus on the Women's Basketball and the NBA. Sara Jane currently resides in Connecticut/NYC area with her Cat and Dog. SJ has her undergraduate degree from the University of Connecticut in Economics, with a minor in business administration.
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