A’ja Wilson and Paige Bueckers received the Associated Press’s coveted season awards, hinting at a possible winner in the league. While Bueckers captured the Rookie of the Year award, the race for the MVP title was closer than ever. Wilson’s late surge made her the favorite, while Napheesa Collier was the most consistent player in the league throughout the season.
When the Aces star actually received her record-setting MVP award, the 28-year-old Lynx forward looked unfazed and gave her honest opinion.
Napheesa Collier Talks About Losing MVP Award
The ex-UConn star started the season well, winning games for the Lynx single-handedly. Maintaining them at the top of the league standings, she averaged 22.9 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game. She even made a strong comeback from injury, indicating her potential and willingness to win everything in the 2025 season.
Meanwhile, Wilson produced huge numbers in the second half of the season and ended with 23.4 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game. Tack on Alyssa Thomas’ almost triple-double season, and the battle for the MVP award was tight, but Wilson took it home with 51 first-place votes compared to Collier’s 18.
But the star didn’t mind forfeiting the individual award for the second consecutive season and noted that the team is greater than her records.
“The team is way bigger than me. Whatever my personal goals are, I’m here for the team, and right now, we’re focused on a championship. So, it was easy not to think about that,” said Collier.
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Napheesa Collier on not being named MVP today:
— Noa Dalzell 🏀 (@NoaDalzell) September 21, 2025
"The team is way bigger than me. Whatever my personal goals are, I'm here for the team, and right now, we're focused on a championship. So, it was easy not to think about that."
She had 18 points and 9 rebounds in Game 1
The Minnesota Lynx is inching a step closer to the WNBA final with an 82-69 win at Target Center against the Phoenix Mercury.
Cheryl Reeve Reacts To Napheesa Collier’s Second Place Finish
Earlier, Cheryl Reeve questioned the WNBA All-Star selection after limited players from the Minnesota Lynx. She once again raised questions on voting after watching the superstar forward finish second in the standings, and also took a jibe at the ‘co-winner’ of the Defensive Player of the Year accolade.
“Voters, just like [with WNBA] Defensive Player of the Year, voters did what they did. And we’re focused on game one,” Reeve said.
While Alana Smith won the Defensive Player of the Year award, she shared the accolade with A’ja Wilson.