EVERETT, WASHINGTON – MAY 15: Breanna Stewart #30 of the Seattle Storm handles the ball against A’ja Wilson #22 of the Las Vegas Aces during the second quarter at Angel of the Winds Arena on May 15, 2021 in Everett, Washington. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
Breanna Stewart dropped 28 points and 13 boards in the Seattle Storm’s season opener, beginning an early case for her second WNBA MVP award.
Breanna Stewart wasted no time starting her bid for MVP, pacing the reigning champion Seattle Storm to a 97-83 victory over the Las Vegas Aces.
Facing 2020 MVP A’ja Wilson and three-time All-Star Liz Cambage in a Finals rematch, Stewart finished as the contest’s leading scorer and rebounder. Another casual double-double, it’s becoming like deja vu. She makes everything look easy.
Stewart is widely considered the heir apparent to Diana Taurasi’s GOAT status. The 26-year-old already has a WNBA Rookie of the Year award (2016), an MVP (2018), two championships and two Finals MVP awards (2018 and 2020), not to mention a slew of other accolades and records from her UCONN days and an equally impressive overseas resume.
A winner everywhere she goes, Stewart could retire today and probably still make the Hall of Fame.
Stewart missed the entire 2019 season after requiring surgery on a torn Achilles tendon. She bounced back with season averages of 19.7 points, 8.3 boards and 3.6 assists per game last year en route to her second WNBA title, finishing second in regular-season MVP voting behind Wilson.
Both players finished with over 20 points in their season debuts today, but it was Stewart who looked more in MVP form.
It’s early days in the 2021 season, but one thing is for sure: it’s going to be another great WNBA MVP race.