Napheesa Collier's latest performance should end MVP debate

Her continued brilliance should remove any doubt about her candidacy to be named WNBA MVP.

Collier missed seven games in August with a sprained right ankle, opening the door for others, including Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson and Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas, to enter the mix.

However, Collier has been great since returning on Aug. 24. In four games, Collier is averaging 23 points per game while shooting 51.6%, including 50% on three-point attempts.

This season, Collier is averaging a career-high 23.5 points per game while appearing in 30 of the Lynx's 40 games.

Jonquel Jones holds the record for most games missed by an eventual MVP, missing five games in 2021 with the Connecticut Sun.

That was when the league had a 32-game regular season. With the WNBA expanding to 44 games, it makes sense for players to miss more games but still have MVP-sized impacts.

More importantly than Collier's likely individual honor, her exceptional return from injury has solidified Minnesota as the team to beat when the playoffs begin on Sept. 14.

The Lynx lost the WNBA Finals in five games, 3-2, last season. Their 32 wins are the most in franchise history, an impressive feat for a team with four WNBA champions.

A fifth could soon follow, but not before Collier earns her first MVP.