Surging Aces make A'ja Wilson a legit WNBA MVP contender

With the win, the Aces moved into a tie with the Mercury for fourth in the league standings and 1.5 games behind the New York Liberty and Atlanta Dream, who are tied for second place at 21-12.

During the win streak, Wilson is averaging 24.8 points, 14.2 rebounds, 1.7 steals and 1.2 blocks per game, strengthening her case for a second consecutive MVP award and fourth overall.

She leads the Aces (20-14) in scoring, rebounds, steals and blocks, is third in assists and has played her best when Las Vegas has needed her the most.

Collier is a deserving favorite to win MVP. Still, with no timetable for a return, there's an opening for Wilson, currently third in odds at multiple sportsbooks (also trailing Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas), to solidify her claim.

Collier has started 26 times this season and missed her seventh game on Saturday against the Liberty. In 2021, Jonquel Jones won MVP despite missing five games — in a 32-game regular season — the most by a player to win the award.

At the beginning of August, the WNBA MVP conversation was an open-and-shut case. But midway through the final full month of the regular season, a familiar name has emerged as a viable candidate. If Wilson sprints through the finish line, she could secure her second straight MVP award, which would be her fourth overall.