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Wilson won the regular-season award in 2022 but
finished third this season behind New York Liberty forward
Breanna Stewart and the Connecticut Sun forward Alyssa Thomas.
"This lady's been ridiculous, and she's heard it all," Hammon
said after the Aces went up 2-0 on the Liberty in the
best-of-five series with a dominant 104-76 victory on Wednesday.
"Third in MVP voting? OK. Rest on that. It's a joke. She's been
off-the-charts efficient."
Wilson, a two-time WNBA MVP, helped the Aces set a single-season
record for wins in going 34-6.
The 27-year-old was voted the Defensive Player of the Year for
the second straight season after leading the league and setting
career highs in total blocks (89) and blocked shots per game
(2.2). Wilson was second in rebounding (9.5), third in scoring
(22.8), third in defensive rebounds per game (7.5) and 10th in
steals (1.40).
Wilson is averaging 24.9 points, 11.3 rebounds and 2.9 blocks in
the postseason.
Stewart was second in scoring in the regular season (23.0 ppg),
third in rebounds (9.3) and fourth in blocks (1.6). Thomas led
the league in rebounding average (9.9).
Hammon didn't point the finger only at voters for the award. The
coach said she limited Wilson's minutes and ability to pad her
statistics by sitting her with the Aces securely ahead in games.
Wilson averaged 30.7 minutes per game in the regular season,
compared to 34.1 for Stewart and 36.2 for Thomas.
"If I would've played her as many minutes (as Stewart and
Thomas), she would've averaged 28 (points) and 13 (rebounds),"
Hammon said. "And that's all anybody in here would've been
talking about. But she got screwed because her coach didn't play
her in fourth quarters."
--Field Level Media
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