Wendell Cruz/Imagn Images (Stewart), Grace Hollars/USA TODAY Network (Clark), Ian Maule/Getty Images (Collier), David Becker/NBAE via Getty Images (Wilson)

New WNBA MVP Frontrunner Emerges After Caitlin Clark Loses Top Spot

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Dave Ettinger | Last updated Jun 4, 2025 12:18 AM ET

Even as she sits on the bench, missing multiple games due to injury, Caitlin Clark remains the center of attention in the WNBA. Clark last saw game action on May 24, a 90-88 loss to the reigning WNBA champion, New York Liberty. She was then diagnosed with a strained left quadriceps, requiring approximately two weeks of recovery.

The Indiana Fever continued to lose their next two games before picking up their first win without Clark against the Washington Mystics 85-76 on Tuesday.

While the Fever were in the midst of winning their third game of the season, Clark and her betting fans received unfortunate news.

As per @PolymarketSport on X, Clark was surpassed as the favorite to win the WNBA MVP award this season.

The new frontrunner to win the award is now the Minnesota Lynx', Napheesa Collier. Collier's odds are now minus-160, becoming the overwhelming favorite.

Napheesa Collier passes Caitlin Clark as the heavy favorite to win WNBA MVP this season according to @PolymarketSport (-160). pic.twitter.com/bWUmRKGxy5
— Polymarket Hoops (@PolymarketHoops) June 3, 2025

Collier has emerged as one the WNBA's most consistent, talented players. She finished as the runner-up in MVP voting last season to A'ja Wilson.

Collier and the Lynx are playing as well as any player and team in the league right now, and were active on Tuesday night as well. Collier finished with 18 points, 11 rebounds, five assists, and one block during the Lynx' 88-65 win over the Phoenix Mercury.

The Lynx remain one of only two undefeated teams in the WNBA at 8-0. The Liberty are the other undefeated team, sitting sit at 7-0.

On the season, Collier is averaging 25.1 points, 8.7 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 2.1 steals, and 1.1 blocks per game. Collier is leading the league in scoring while shooting 52.5% from the field.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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