Back in 2018, two young stars stepped onto the WNBA stage almost in sync. A’ja Wilson, the undisputed No. 1 pick, and Kelsey Mitchell, right behind her at No. 2. Both inked Nike deals that rookie year, hinting that their names were meant to resonate far beyond the hardwood. Yet, the season itself told a more complicated story. The WNBA hit its sharpest one-year attendance drop since 2012, sinking to its lowest mark of the 12-team era. But while the league was fighting for relevance inside arenas, Wilson and Mitchell were proof of the promise that lay ahead. However, ROTY could only go to one, and Wilson claimed it in a unanimous fashion. Now, seven years later, the two find themselves standing shoulder to shoulder again. Not as newcomers, but as veterans making yet another case for themselves, chasing another honor together, and reminding everyone how much they’ve grown while the league has grown with them.

Until recently, MVP discussions revolved around just three names – Napheesa Collier, Alyssa Thomas, and A’ja Wilson. All three have earned that recognition. But amid the chaos of a 44-game season, one name slipped from the spotlight: Kelsey Mitchell. She herself admitted she hadn’t given it much thought, telling a reporter, “I haven’t even thought about that”. Yet, her play is starting to make fans nostalgic for that 2018 race. On August 19, the WNBA announced Mitchell and Wilson as the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week for Week 11.

Currently, Wilson and Mitchell sit at No. 3 and No. 4 in the MVP odds, but if their explosive performances continue, don’t be surprised to see their names climb higher. Let’s look at the why, shall we?

For A’ja Wilson, it’s her 26th Player of the Week honor, and her fourth this season. That leaves her one shy of tying Candace Parker (27) for second-most in league history, with Tina Charles still sitting pretty at No. 1 with 32. Wilson powered the Aces to a perfect 3-0 week, extending their win streak to seven while averaging 27 points, 13.3 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks. She also shot nearly 48% from the field and 90% from the free-throw line (36-for-40). On August 18, Wilson ranked second in the league in scoring (22.6) and rebounds (9.9), first in blocks (2.1), and sixth in steals (1.6).

Wilson’s week in highlight reels:

• vs Liberty (83-77 win): 17 points, 16 boards, 4 assists, 2 blocks, and 11-for-11 at the line. The 8th time she’s been flawless on 10+ attempts, tying Skylar Diggins and Lindsay Whalen for fourth all-time.

• vs Mercury (86-83 win): A 30-point, 16-rebound double-double, her 115th, tying Nneka Ogwumike for fifth-most ever.

• vs Wings (106-87 win): Dropped 34 points, her league-leading 8th 30+ game this season, and tied Angel McCoughtry for second all-time in 30-point outings (32), still chasing Diana Taurasi’s ridiculous 54. Oh, and she also passed Ruthy Riley (505) for ninth on the all-time blocks list with 507.

For Kelsey Mitchell, this is her fourth career honor and second this season. That puts her in elite Fever company, joining Tamika Catchings (11) and Katie Douglas (4) as the only players in franchise history with four or more. Mitchell, too, was a walking bucket all week, dropping a total of 76 points while averaging 25.3 points and 5.7 assists per game.

Mitchell’s week in highlight reels:

• vs Wings (81-80 loss): Scored 24 points (her 19th 20+ game this season) and led all scorers.

• vs Mystics (88-84 loss): Put up 14 points and dished 9 assists, tying her career high.

• vs Sun (99-93 win): Went full takeover mode – 38 points in an OT win, tying her own career high and matching a franchise record from 2018. She added 10 points in overtime alone, the second-most by a Fever player in an extra period. That 38-point outburst also gave her the 11th 30+ game of her career, passing Fever legend Tamika Catchings for the franchise record, all in just 268 games.

Now, let’s look at their season averages so far to see who is faring better in terms of stats.

So, A’ja Wilson is clearly ahead as of now, leading in all categories except one. Still, before the race becomes solely theirs, they will have to topple Collier and Thomas. And for Mitchell especially, this coming stretch will decide a lot of things.

Kelsey Mitchell aims to put down her marker as Fever embarks on a tough stretch

The Indiana Fever are embarking on an important mission. A mission that can make or break their season. After dealing with so many adversities throughout the season, they are still very much alive in the hunt for a playoff spot. With a 19-16 record, they currently sit in the 6th spot. However, their road ahead is a very tough one. 

Their next six games are going to be a brutal stretch. In that stretch, they will face the Minnesota Lynx twice, the Seattle Storm, the Los Angeles Sparks, the Golden State Valkyries, and the Phoenix Mercury. All of these fixtures are going to be extremely difficult for a team with four injured players. But herein lies the opportunity as well. Get through these games, and they are set to be in the playoffs, where hopefully Caitlin Clark will come back. 

Another opportunity that would be there is for Kelsey Mitchell. If she is able to continue her amazing form and lead the Fever to the playoffs, these last 9 games can do wonders for her prospects of winning the MVP. It may be a long shot, but it is a shot nonetheless. And the way Indiana Fever’s season has gone, they’d give away anything for a chance. 

Can Kelsey rise in this tough stretch and put down her marker in the race for MVP? The start of this answer begins with their next game against the Minnesota Lynx on August 22 at home.