Note: WNBA.com’s Race to the MVP, released every Wednesday during the season, is the opinion of this writer and does not reflect the views of the WNBA or its clubs.

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With the Race to the MVP about halfway complete, it’s time to take stock of this year’s frontrunning candidates.

Do you reward the best player on the league’s best team — a 16-1, history-making force — who also happens to be shooting a league-record 70% from the field?

Does the player leading the league in both scoring and rebounding get the nod?

And what about the former MVP who’s made a statement that the title still goes through the reigning champs?

The debate is as difficult as ever with stars like Nneka Ogwumike, Tina Charles and Maya Moore taking their games to new levels each season.

Here’s one writer’s take:

1. Nneka Ogwumike, Los Angeles Sparks
Last Week: 3
Stats: 17.1 points, 68% FG, 8.2 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.0 steals

It’s tough to argue against rewarding the team that’s won 16 of its first 17 games. Incredibly, Ogwumike has not only maintained her early-season pace; she’s somehow outdone herself with each passing week.

That run peaked this week with her otherworldly effort against the Dream: 38 points on 13-of-14 shooting, 11 rebounds, 3 assists and 5 blocks in 34 minutes.

2. Tina Charles, New York Liberty
Last Week: 2
Stats: 22.3 points, 9.9 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.1 steals

A broken nose has done nothing to slow Charles down. She returned, like clockwork, with a pair of 11-of-22 shooting games en route to 31 points and 10 rebounds on Friday, then 27 points and 9 rebounds on Sunday. That’s nine straight games with at least 20 points to keep the Liberty atop the East.

3. Maya Moore, Minnesota Lynx
Last Week: 1
Stats: 18.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 1.5 steals

Moore turned up the heat from downtown in two showdowns with Eastern Conference powers, sinking four threes against the Liberty and six against the Sky. The latter game brought out an MVP-level performance from the Minnesota star as she poured in 33 points, including a clutch trey with under a minute left, to best Elena Delle Donne (38 points) & Co.

4. Candace Parker, Los Angeles Sparks
Last Week: 4
Stats: 16.3 points, 7.7 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 1.6 steals, 1.1 blocks

Parker has smartly picked her spots to attack with L.A.’s ball movement crisp and Ogwumike carrying the load. She continues to dazzle with her passing skills and thrive in the open court.

5. Elena Delle Donne, Chicago Sky
Last Week: 6
Stats: 19.8 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.6 blocks

The reigning MVP once again looks like the reigning MVP. EDD nearly carried the Sky to an upset of the Lynx with a brilliant, 2015-level output on Tuesday: 38 points, 11/15 FG (5/6 3FG) and 10 rebounds.

Over her last six games, Delle Donne is averaging a league-high 27.8 points on 54/55/97% shooting along with 7.8 rebounds and 1.5 blocks.

6. Angel McCoughtry, Atlanta Dream
Last Week: 5
Stats: 20.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.6 steals

Atlanta brought a much-needed halt to its six-game losing streak with a 13-point win over the Storm on Tuesday, while McCoughtry scored at least 15 points for the 16th time in 18 games. Among other issues, the Dream need Angel to rediscover her outside stroke — she’s shooting just 21% from deep this season compared to 36% last year.

7. Diana Taurasi, Phoenix Mercury
Last Week: 10
Stats: 19.9 points, 3.5 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 2.9 3PM/G

Phoenix continues to be the league’s Jekyll-and-Hyde team, but Taurasi and Brittney Griner lifting the Mercury back into the playoff picture represents a small step up. Diana, who has led the league in made three-pointers seven times, has sunk 54 threes this year to tie with Sugar Rodgers for the league lead.

8. Emma Meesseman, Washington Mystics
Last Week: 8
Stats: 15.1 points, 55% FG, 5.9 rebounds

A heartbreaker in Chicago ended Meesseman and the Mystics’ run at seven wins in nine games. While the young forward has remained an efficient scorer, Washington may need her to re-assert herself in the offense and on the boards to climb above .500.

9. Breanna Stewart, Seattle Storm
Last Week: Unranked
Stats: 18.9 points, 9.4 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.8 blocks, 1.3 steals

Even during a down week, Stewart filled the box score like few others in the league can. The Storm, who fell back out of the Top 8, would likely need to make a surprise playoff push for the rookie sensation to emerge as an MVP contender.

10. Sylvia Fowles, Minnesota Lynx
Last Week: 7
Stats: 14.0 points, 59% FG, 8.3 rebounds, 1.1 steals, 1.3 blocks

Two straight wins righted the ship in Minnesota, where Fowles continues to be solid but not spectacular. She stepped up against her former team once again with 15 points and 6 rebounds on Tuesday.