2016 WNBA MVP Race: Week 3

The Minnesota Lynx and Los Angeles Sparks are still undefeated in the 2016 WNBA regular season. The two Western Conference powerhouses have combined for 14 straight wins as of this writing, thanks to their superstars who are again on top of this week's race.

Here is Week 3 of the 2016 WNBA MVP Race.

 1. Candace Parker (Last week: 1)
Parker averaged 12.5 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 4.5 APG, 2 SPG, and 1.5 BPG in back to back wins over the San Antonio Stars over the past week, even shooting 4-for-7 from three-point area in those two games to lead the Sparks to a 7-0 record.

2. Maya Moore (Last week: 2)
Moore took charge with 25 points, six rebounds, and three assists, shooting 10-for-19 from the field in a 79-69 win over the New York Liberty. She then had 13 points and six assists in an easy 80-63 win over the Dallas Wings. Like the Sparks, the Lynx are 7-0 in the regular season.

3. Angel McCoughtry (Last week: 5) 
The Atlanta Dream forward averaged 24.5 PPG, 6 RPG, 3 APG, and 2.5 SPG in her team's last two games. McCoughtry helped the Dream achieve a five-game winning streak over the past week, as the Dream continued to be the best squad in the Eastern Conference.

4. Jewell Loyd (Last week: 4)
After pouring 30 points a few weeks ago, Loyd topped her career-high as she finished with 32 points on 12-for-18 shooting in a 95-81 win over the Phoenix Mercury. Loyd also shot 4-for-7 from long range in that game, carrying the Seattle Storm to .500 during that time.

An improved jumper coupled with her ability to get to the rim shall result to an even better offense for the Storm.

5. Tina Charles (Last week: 3)

Charles helped the Liberty end a three-game losing streak, tallying 14 points, nine rebounds, and six assists in a 91-59 win over the Indiana Fever before following it up with a 19-point, 13-rebound production in an 86-78 victory over the Storm.

Charles continues to lead the league in double-doubles as well, having six in just seven games.

6. Breanna Stewart (Last week: NA)
Returning to the race this week is Stewart who kept showing she can do pretty much everything on the floor. She averaged 11 PPG, 13.5 RPG, 5.5 APG, and 2 BPG in the Storm's two games against the Liberty and Mercury.

In the season, the Rookie of the Year front-runner is averaging 16.4 PPG, 9.9 RPG, and 2 BPG.

7. Elena Delle Donne (Last week: 9)
The reigning WNBA MVP helped the Chicago Sky notch a three-game winning streak, after the team had gone 0-4 to open the season. In those three wins, Delle Donne averaged 16.7 PPG, 5.7 RPG, and 4 APG, while shooting 15-for-17 from the foul line.

8. Nneka Ogwumike (Last week: 10)
Ogwumike once again provided her Sparks frontcourt partner with ample help, averaging 14.5 PPG and 7 RPG in back to back wins against the Stars. Ogwumike is also shooting 61.3 percent overall in the season, one of the most efficient rates in the league.

9. Tiffany Hayes (Last week: NA)
Another reason for the Dream's success early in the season is Hayes, who has been a revelation in her fourth season. Hayes is averaging career-highs of 14.8 PPG on 50.7 percent shooting, 4.5 RPG, and 2.6 APG.

She is also one of the most aggressive players in the league, earning 6.4 free throw attempts per game. She has a FTA/FGA rate of 71.8, which is way above the ideal.

10. Diana Taurasi (Last week: 8)
After scoring 28 points against the Washington Mystics, Taurasi then had 19 points and nine assists to lead the Mercury past the Connecticut Sun, 99-90. Taurasi also shot 40 percent from three in those back to back wins.

While most of the Mercury's key players are still struggling, it's obvious Taurasi is trying to hold the fort for them as much as she can.

For the previous week's rankings, CLICK HERE

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