“Stew York City,” stand up. After the closest race in WNBA history, New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart is the 2023 Most Valuable Player.
The voting race for MVP was a gauntlet down the stretch, involving the upper echelon of league talent. Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson and Connecticut Sun forward Alyssa Thomas made outstanding cases for why they should win. Only 13 points separated Stewart and Wilson, and only seven votes separated Stewart and Thomas — the tightest three-way voting margin in league history, according to ESPN’s Alexa Philippou. Ultimately, voters chose “Stewie” for her ability to light up New York and the league.
The voting breakdown: https://t.co/CiXZEbhewi pic.twitter.com/uCDuXji8TX
— Alexa Philippou (@alexaphilippou) September 26, 2023
Her quest for MVP started with the offensive prowess that landed her second-to-only Seattle Storm guard Jewell Loyd for the WNBA single-season scoring record.
This season, Stewart averaged 23 points, 9.3 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game. With the help of her leadership, the Liberty steamrolled their way to a franchise-best record of 32-8 and a Commissioner’s Cup win.
Stewart was also a defensive force to be reckoned with, as she averaged 1.57 blocks and 1.45 steals per game. Her disruption on the court earned her a WNBA All-Defensive team selection.
With efforts like that, the league couldn’t help but notice her magic.
🗽 STEW YORK CITY STAND UP 🗽
2023 WNBA MVP Crowned! 👑 @breannastewart becomes first MVP in Liberty history! pic.twitter.com/5vUsLpho7h
— New York Liberty (@nyliberty) September 26, 2023
Truthfully, Stewart is creating a resume that feels almost unreal.
In addition to the most 40-point games in a season and the most points scored in 30 minutes or less in league history, she is a two-time WNBA champion, a two-time WNBA Finals MVP, a five-time All-Star and now has two MVP trophies.
What a year for WNBA @Kia MVP @breannastewart 🙌
➡️ 23.0 PPG, 9.3 RPG, 3.8 APG, 1.57 BPG, 1.45 SPG
➡️ Most 40-PT games in a szn
➡️ Most PTS scored in 30 min or less in WNBA History (45)
➡️ 2nd in scoring & efficiency
➡️ 3rd in rebounding & double-doubles#KiaMVP #MoreThanGame pic.twitter.com/atNS3fKODJ— WNBA (@WNBA) September 26, 2023
As the kids say, it’s lit. We have a lit-thuation happening! (That was probably too much, but I love a good pun.) Stewie is a hooper, and this award reflects that — hats off to you, Breanna, and the Liberty.
The celebration is flowing somewhere, and Jay-Z’s “Empire State of Mind” is blasting.
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