At the conclusion of the WNBA’s third week, Jonquel Jones of the Connecticut Sun has been named Eastern Conference Player of the Week while Jewell Loyd of the Seattle Storm has been named Western Conference Player of the Week.
Reigning Eastern Conference Player of the Month, Jonquel Jones, has won her first player of the week this season. Last week, Jones averaged 27.0 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks in two games for the Connecticut Sun. This includes a season-high 31-point, 13-rebound performance against the New York Liberty.
Jonquel Jones: WNBA MVP candidate
Jones is an early candidate for MVP this season, averaging 21.6 points (career-high), 10.4 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.2 blocks while leading the Sun to a WNBA-best 10-2 record. She is the only player this season so far that is averaging over 20 points and 10 rebounds. She is also leading the WNBA in double-doubles with seven.
In three games last season, Jewell Loyd averaged 22.7 points, 4.7 assists and 3.7 rebounds while leading the Storm to a 2-1 record. This included 25-point performances in each of her last two games. In a June 4 matchup against the Dallas Wings, Loyd capped off a Storm victory with a buzzer beating three-pointer.
Due in part to playing alongside former MVP Breanna Stewart, a lot of what Jewell Loyd has done this season has been under appreciated. However, that has not stopped her from putting together an All-Star caliber season.
She is averaging career-highs in points (20.7), assists (4.8) and steals (1.6) while shooting a career-high 47% from the field and 43% from 3-point range so far this season. She also has the second-highest rebound average of her career (4.3).