Breanna Stewart has once again ascended to the pinnacle of the WNBA, securing her second MVP award after a remarkable season with the New York Liberty. The league officially announced Stewart’s triumph on Tuesday, solidifying her status as one of the game’s true luminaries. She narrowly outpaced the Connecticut Sun’s Alyssa Thomas, who etched her name in triple-double history, and the Las Vegas Aces’ A’ja Wilson, the 2022 MVP winner.
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Stewart’s MVP win was hard-fought, as she garnered 20 of the 60 first-place votes and amassed a total of 446 points (with 23 second-place votes and 17 third-place votes). Alyssa Thomas was a close second with 439 points (23 first-place votes), and A’ja Wilson secured the third spot with 433 points (17 first-place votes).
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This year’s MVP race made history as it marked the second time in the league’s history that the winner received fewer first-place votes than the runner-up. Sheryl Swoopes had previously achieved this feat in 2005 when she won the award over Lauren Jackson, albeit with four fewer first-place votes. The 2023 MVP race also went down in history as one of the closest, with just seven points separating Stewart and Thomas. The smallest gap in WNBA history was two points in 2005 when Swoopes edged out Jackson.
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In the MVP voting system, players receive 10 points for a first-place vote, seven for second, five for third, three for fourth, and one for fifth.
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Stewart graciously accepted the award on the eve of Game 2 of the WNBA semifinals. In her acceptance speech, she expressed gratitude to various individuals, including those who voted for her and those who didn’t.
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“I’m also grateful for the people who didn’t or who are mad at the people who did, because the buzz around this race is too good for our league,” Stewart said. “Rivalry is good. And the business doesn’t go on without the fans. So thank you.”
Stewart’s season with the New York Liberty has been nothing short of exceptional. After signing with the team in free agency, she quickly transformed the franchise from a lower-seed playoff contender to a legitimate championship favorite. The Liberty clinched the No. 2 seed in Stewart’s inaugural season with the team, boasting the second-best offense and the best defense in the latter half of the season.
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Throughout the season, Stewart consistently showcased her prowess on the court. She averaged 23 points per game, ranking second only to Jewell Loyd’s 24.7. Her shooting percentages of 46.5% from the field, 35.5% from beyond the arc, and 85.1% from the free-throw line were evidence of her remarkable efficiency. Stewart also contributed with 9.3 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.6 blocks per game – all career-high marks.
Notably, Stewart was the first player in WNBA history to score at least 40 points in three games within a single season, and she added a fourth 40-point game in September. Her career-high 45-point performance saw her shoot a remarkable 71.4% from the field and go 6-of-9 from beyond the three-point line.
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As Stewart reclaims the MVP title, her contribution to the Liberty’s success cannot be overstated. She is not only a dominant force on the court but also a beacon of excellence in the league. Alongside her fellow MVP contenders, A’ja Wilson and Alyssa Thomas, Stewart continues to elevate the WNBA to new heights, demonstrating that greatness shines in many different ways. Her second MVP win is a testament to her unwavering commitment to the sport and her indomitable spirit, and it reaffirms her status as one of the league’s true legends.
