A’ja Wilson’s reign as the world’s best player has continued into the 2024 season.
After winning Defensive Player of the Year in 2022 and 2023, leading the Aces to back-to-back titles and winning Finals MVP in 2023, Wilson is turning in one of the greatest seasons in league history in 2024.
Though Wilson has undoubtedly been the best player for several years now, she finished third in MVP voting in 2023.
Wilson’s MVP finish in 2023 is certainly not consistent with her standing in the league and the voting that led to her third-place finish was a major storyline throughout Las Vegas’ run to the 2023 title. One year later, Wilson has been on a mission and won MVP honors unanimously.
With Wilson winning MVP in 2024, here’s why she missed out on the award in 2023.
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Why didn’t A’ja Wilson win MVP in 2023?
Wilson did not win MVP in 2023 because she finished third in voting behind winner Breanna Stewart and runner-up Alyssa Thomas.
The MVP voting was historically close, with Wilson finishing six points behind Thomas and 13 points behind Stewart. One of the biggest factors in Wilson’s finish is that she was the only top-three finisher to receive a fourth-place vote.
Wilson has not been shy about her fourth-place voter, claiming that she knows who the voter is and trolling them during the Aces’ 2023 championship parade by wearing a shirt that outlined her MVP votes.
MORE: A’ja Wilson breaks WNBA single-season scoring record
2023 WNBA MVP voting results
WNBA MVP is voted on by a national panel of 60 broadcasters and sportswriters. The panel votes for five candidates — first-place votes are worth 10 points, second-place votes are worth seven points, third-place votes are worth five points, fourth-place votes are worth three points and fifth-place votes are worth one point.
Here’s a breakdown of the top three finishers in 2023:
| Rank | Player | 1st place votes | 2nd place votes | 3rd place votes | 4th place votes | Total points |
| 1. | Breanna Stewart | 20 | 23 | 17 | — | 446 |
| 2. | Alyssa Thomas | 23 | 12 | 25 | — | 439 |
| 3. | A’ja Wilson | 17 | 25 | 17 | 1 | 433 |
Most WNBA MVP awards by player
Wilson is one of eight multi-time MVPs in WNBA history. A third MVP award ties Wilson with Hall of Famers Lauren Jackson, Lisa Leslie and Sheryl Swoopes as the all-time leader with three MVP awards.
| Rank | Player | MVPs | Years won |
| 1. | Lauren Jackson | 3 | 2003, 2007, 2010 |
| Lisa Leslie | 3 | 2001, 2004, 2006 | |
| Sheryl Swoopes | 3 | 2000, 2002, 2005 | |
| A’ja Wilson | 3 | 2020, 2022, 2024 | |
| 5. | Breanna Stewart | 2 | 2018, 2023 |
| Elena Delle Donne | 2 | 2015, 2019 | |
| Candace Parker | 2 | 2008, 2013 | |
| Cynthia Cooper | 2 | 1997, 1998 |
