On Sunday, the Unrivaled Basketball league announced its first ever MVP winner. Napheesa Collier, who plays for the WNBA's Minnesota Lynx as well, was selected as Unrivaled's 2025 MVP.
Collier, 28, helped to create the league alongside New York Liberty star Breanna Stewart. She played well in Unrivaled without question, and has now been selected as the MVP.
Collier, who plays for the Lunar Owls in Unrivaled, averaged 25.7 points, 10.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 2.0 steals and 1.4 blocks per game. She has appeared in 14 total contests. Collier's Lunar Owls are competing for the Unrivaled championship as well. Overall, she led her team to an outstanding record of 13-1.
In other words, it has been a tremendous WNBA offseason for the Lynx star. She is expected to be a popular WNBA MVP candidate in 2025. In fact, she finished second in MVP voting for her 2024 performance. Collier finished the '24 WNBA campaign with per game averages of 20.4 points, 9.7 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.9 steals and 1.4 blocks per outing. She was selected as the 2024 WNBA Defensive Player of the Year, however.
In all reality, Collier probably could have won the Unrivaled Defensive Player of the Year Award as well. The award ended up going to Angel Reese, however, who also enjoyed a strong defensive performance in the new league.
Napheesa Collier wins Unrivaled MVP, but receives concerning injury update
Sunday provided Collier with mixed updates. As mentioned, she was selected as the Unrivaled MVP. However, she was also reportedly added to the injury report for the Lunar Owls' playoff game on Sunday night, according to Meghan L. Hall of USA Today's For The Win. Collier is dealing with a left ankle injury, and the Lunar Owls are closely monitoring the situation.
The Lynx, of course, are surely paying close attention as well. The last thing Minnesota wants to see is Collier going down with an injury before the 2025 WNBA season even begins.
It remains to be seen if Collier will play on Sunday night. Updates will be provided on Collier's injury situation as they are made available. The hope is that the issue is nothing serious. Collier would love the opportunity to play in the Lunar Owls' semifinals clash in hopes of clinching a spot in the championship. Earning both the championship and the MVP would be quite the accomplishment to say the least.