Historic achievement reignites thrilling award race that seemed all but decided

The MVP race is closely contested this season. Alyssa Thomas broke triple-double records left and right in her first season with the Phoenix Mercury, A’ja Wilson turned around an abysmal Aces season with several 30-point performances, and Napheesa Collier was the best player on the best team during the regular season. The latter was the overwhelming favorite early on, but then an ankle injury and historic performances from Wilson and Thomas changed the discourse. 

Just a few days ago, ESPN picked A’ja Wilson to win the 2025 WNBA MVP award. Three out of four analysts picked her over Collier and Thomas. Becky Hammon also made a passionate case for her star to win MVP, saying that the “math doesn’t lie.”

Cheryl Reeve made a similar argument for Collier to win MVP after the Lynx’s final win of the season over the Golden State Valkyries. Collier finished the game with 19 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals, but that wasn’t what reignited her MVP case. After another efficient game, Collier finished the regular season shooting 53.1% from the field, 40.3% from three, and 90.6% from the free-throw line. 

Collier joined Elena Delle Donne as the only player in the WNBA’s exclusive 50-40-90 club. Delle Donne won MVP when she accomplished the feat in 2019. Collier is the first WNBA player ever to do it while also averaging 20+ points per game.

Cheryl Reeve calls for Collier to be named MVP

Collier’s historic accomplishment prompted her head coach Cheryl Reeve to outline why her star player deserved to be named MVP. 

“It had only been done once before and that player was MVP of the league,” Reeve said in her postgame press conference. “Phee deserves that same recognition, and the numbers don’t lie…A 50-40-90 [season] is historic. I don’t know how long it will be before it happens again. Napheesa Collier has been the best player in the WNBA this season and deserves MVP.”

Collier’s case for MVP is strong, especially after joining the 50-40-90 club. She ranks second in points per game and fifth in steals and blocks per game, and her team has consistently been the best squad in the league. While the Lynx continued to win when Collier had to miss some time with an ankle injury, she is the focal point of everything the Lynx do. Minnesota’s offensive rating improves by almost ten points when Collier is on the court, and the defensive rating also gets better. 

There is no obvious MVP this season

Last season, the MVP was obvious. A’ja Wilson won the award unanimously after a historic season. This year, the race is a lot closer. Someone deserving will win the award, but someone else will be left feeling disrespected once the award is given out.