Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Stephen A. Smith Predicts 2025 WNBA MVP Without Hesitation

Originally posted on Athlon Sports
By Rowan Fisher-Shotton | Last updated Sep 9, 2025 12:31 PM ET

The Las Vegas Aces extended their win streak to 14 games with an 80-66 victory over the Chicago Sky on Sunday, Sept. 7, marking the longest run in franchise history and tying for the fourth-longest in WNBA regular season history.

The win, which pushed Las Vegas 28-14 and third in the standings, came behind another dominant performance from A'ja Wilson, posting 31 points, 11 rebounds, four steals, three blocks and two assists in 32 minutes.

On Tuesday's episode of "First Take," Stephen A. Smith took a moment to shout out Wilson and declare her the unquestioned league MVP.

"The Las Vegas Aces lost by 53 points on their home court to the Minnesota Lynx on August 2nd. They haven't lost a game since... and this one, A'ja Wilson, who's already a three-time league MVP, is about to get another one," Smith said.

"They're going to be a force to be reckoned with, but A'ja Wilson's the truth. She is special. Damn right she's going to be MVP, again!"

"Aja Wilson, who's already a three-time league MVP, is about to get another one."

-@stephenasmith on Aja Wilson and the Aces' winning streak pic.twitter.com/nodz3XRszO
— First Take (@FirstTake) September 9, 2025

On August 2, the Aces suffered a 53-point home loss to the Lynx. In that game, Wilson was outplayed by MVP frontrunner Napheesa Collier, who scored 18 points and added five assists, three rebounds and two steals before exiting with a sprained ankle late in the third quarter.

That injury sidelined Collier for nearly a month, during which Minnesota went 5-2 without her.

Since that loss to Minnesota, Las Vegas has not lost, climbing from a borderline playoff team to a title contender. The Aces now sit one game behind the Atlanta Dream (29-14) and five behind the Lynx, with two games remaining before the postseason begins on Sunday.

Collier was the clear MVP favorite for much of the season, leading the league in scoring (23.5), plus-minus (+11.7) and ranking second in Player Impact Estimate (PIE) with 20.0 while guiding Minnesota to a 28–5 record before her injury.

However, Collier’s absence and Minnesota’s ability to win without her have complicated things (in Wilson's favor).

Wilson’s stat line against Chicago was her third consecutive 30-point game and her 13th such outing of the season, a new WNBA record. She now leads the league in 30-point double-doubles (10), points (23.8), blocks per game (2.2) and ranks second in rebounds (10.1 per game) and steals (1.6 per game).

Her recent stretch has elevated her back to being the MVP front-runner, with ESPN BET listing Wilson at -400 to win the award, while Collier sits at +290.

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

More must-reads: