Napheesa Collier Gets Honest About Losing WNBA MVP Award

Collier had a superb campaign, averaging 22.9 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.6 steals, and 1.5 blocks per game. It was one of the most impressive campaigns by any player, but it was not enough.

Wilson had even more impressive numbers, and she also won Defensive Player of the Year alongside the Lynx's Alanna Smith. It was a heartbreaking loss for Lynx fans when Collier was the runner-up, but it looks like the Minnesota star is taking it in stride.

Collier's Reaction to the MVP Race Against Wilson

As the first runner-up to a worthy winner, Collier was gracious about losing the MVP award. Any top player would want to win the award, especially with Collier's success, but it was not enough to beat the now-four-time MVP.

Collier could have had a stronger argument if she had played more than 33 games. With a 44-game season, she missed 20% of the season, so that was a huge argument against her MVP case.

After the MVP announcement, Collier did not mind losing, as she revealed that she was okay with the decision.

"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," Collier said on the night the Lynx beat the Mercury.

Collier Can Still Win The Biggest Prize

While Collier lost the MVP race, she can still lead the Lynx to a championship. They last won when Collier was not in the league just yet, back in the 2017 season. After losing in the WNBA Finals in 2024, Minnesota wants payback.

It will be a challenging Playoffs for Collier and the Lynx, but they have been doing well so far. If they can continue this momentum, it will be a great championship run for the Lynx, as the New York Liberty failed to properly defend their title.

There is a possible matchup when the Lynx could go up against Wilson and the Aces, as they are playing against the Indiana Fever on the other side of the bracket.

If that happens, the MVP debate could be settled once again, but this time it would be for the Finals MVP. In the WNBA, the individual awards matter, but most players would want to win a championship over those awards. However, if they do face each other in the Finals, they are the favorites to win the Finals MVP award.