While the regular season is officially over, we will have to wait a bit longer until the MVP is announced. The WNBA will make the winner public on September 21. Given how the regular season went and the discourse around the award, it will be either Napheesa Collier or A’ja Wilson. Collier is the best player on the best team and finished the season in the exclusive 50-40-90 club. Meanwhile, Wilson led the Aces’ thrilling leap from the bottom of the playoff standings to the top with several 30-point games.
The two stars are already on a collision course to be the two top contenders for the next big award as well. ESPN recently released an article with playoff predictions. All nine analysts picked either Collier or Wilson to be named Finals MVP.
Collier and Wilson both look ready for big playoff performances
Neither Collier nor Wilson is a stranger to upping their game in the postseason. Wilson is a two-time champion and the 2023 Finals MVP. In the last three seasons, Wilson never averaged fewer than 20 points per game in the playoffs. Collier led all players in total points scored in the playoffs last year with 285. She averaged 23.8 points on over 50% shooting from the field.
Wilson and Collier are two of the best two-way players in the league. If the Aces or Lynx go on to win it all, Collier or Wilson will be one of the main reasons why. Both are well set up to go on a playoff tear immediately.
Wilson scored 30 points in six of her last ten games and is no stranger to putting up big numbers against the Storm’s frontcourt rotation. In her most recent game against the Storm, Wilson scored 29 points and grabbed 12 rebounds. Seattle’s rotation of Nneka Ogwumike, Ezi Magbegor, and Dominique Malonga may be able to pose a bigger challenge to Wilson than other teams, but ultimately it isn’t always enough to slow her down.
For Collier, the Lynx’s first-round matchup is the perfect opportunity to set the tone for a big playoff run. The Valkyries have a solid frontcourt rotation with Temi Fagbenle, Monique Billings, and Iliana Rupert, but none of them is the kind of defender teams need to slow down Collier. She scored at least 19 points every time she played the Valkyries this season.
The Lynx and Aces are two of the favorites to make the finals
As the top two seeds, the Lynx and Aces are on the right track to go on a deep playoff run. Minnesota will have to face Golden State in the first round—a series it is widely expected to win—and face either Phoenix or New York in the semi-finals. The Aces will face the Storm in the first round. If they win, they will go on to face either the Dream or the Fever in the semifinals.
While the Mercury, Liberty, and Dream shouldn’t be underestimated, the Lynx’s and Aces’ regular-season performances and veteran star power make them the overwhelming favorites to make the finals. All nine ESPN analysts picked the Lynx and Aces to meet in the finals.