2021 WNBA Major Awards Watch – Week 4

We have now played 4 weeks of WNBA games which means we have more data on which teams and which players are playing their best basketball one month into the season. We have seen the Connecticut Sun rise and the Chicago Sky stumble. We have seen consistency from the defending WNBA champion Seattle Storm and an improved Dallas Wings team despite their current record.

Connecticut Sun star Jonquel Jones continues to be the lead candidate for the WNBA MVP award BUT there is some heavy competition from Seattle Storm stars Jewell Loyd and Breanna Stewart. Jewell Loyd has been consistent throughout the entire season and has helped the Storm stay afloat when Breanna Stewart has struggled early in the game. That’s why her name belongs in the MVP talks, in this early part of the WNBA season. Breanna Stewart continues to be solid and always delivers for the Storm so she also is a part of the WNBA MVP race.

With Jonquel Jones out for a possible 2-3 weeks starting this week, both Loyd and Stewart have a shot of becoming the lead candidate. It will be an interesting week, that’s for sure.

Listed below are the weekly update for the WNBA Major Awards watch. You can view the previous week here.

Executive of the Year: Jonathon Kolb, New York Liberty

Coach of the Year: Derek Fisher, Los Angeles Sparks

Kim Perrot Sportsmanship Award: Sue Bird, Seattle Storm

Most Improved Player Award: Marina Mabrey, Dallas Wings

MVP: Jonquel Jones, Connecticut Sun

DPOY: Brittney Sykes, Los Angeles Sparks

Sixth Woman of the Year: Dearica Hamby, Las Vegas Aces

ROY: Michaela Onyenwere, New York Liberty

WNBA All First Team (*not position based)

• C – Jonquel Jones – Connecticut Sun
• F – Breanna Stewart – Seattle Storm
• G – Jewell Loyd – Seattle Storm
• F – A’ja Wilson – Las Vegas Aces
• C – Brittney Griner – Phoenix Mercury

WNBA All Second Team (*not position based)

• C – Liz Cambage – Las Vegas Aces
• G – Chelsea Gray – Las Vegas Aces
• G – Skylar Diggins-Smith – Phoenix Mercury
• G – Erica Wheeler – Los Angeles Sparks
• G/F – Betnijah Laney – New York Liberty

All Defense Team

• Brittney Griner – Phoenix Mercury
• Brittney Sykes – Los Angeles Sparks
• Brianna Turner – Phoenix Mercury
• Betnijah Laney – New York Liberty
• A’ja Wilson – Las Vegas Aces

All Rookie Team — *This week, only 4 rookies got enough playing time to make an impact/not enough data to add one final player

• Michaela Onyenwere
• Aari McDonald – Atlanta Dream
• Charli Collier – Dallas Wings
• DiJonai Carrington – Connecticut Sun