2025 WNBA Regular Season

[GoChips20]

If we’re going to index on 50-40-90 for Collier’s MVP case I think it’s at least worth mentioning that that’s “easier” to do in 33 games than 44. Still an incredibly difficult achievement that’s only been done once before, and if a player can do it across 25-30 games I think it’s a legitimate accomplishment. But it’s true nonetheless.

 

[GoChips20]

There’s no chance we end up with co-MVPs, but if there was ever a year for it it’s this one IMO:

• Both Collier and Wilson are very closely matched statistically (PPG, shooting percentages, stocks, some advanced metrics)
• Both are on top-2 teams
• Both have great individual storylines: Collier the best player on the unequivocal best team; Wilson the best player on a team that rode a historic win streak from 14-14 to 30-14
• Both elite on both sides of the floor (this is true of most MVPs but in addition to being the top two scorers in the league, they’re also the two best defenders).

Collier was the best player the first half of the season; Wilson the second half (even when Collier played IMO). It’s close. I’d go Wilson but it’s because of the missed time. Otherwise it would be Collier for me:

Prediction: Collier in a narrow vote.

 

[JstVisiting]

Wilson had a great season, but I think 50/40/90 is unique. 50/39/85 is really good, but I think others have done that. Stewie had 53/42/82 in 2018. Phee had 52/41/83 in 2020. A'ja had 52/32/84 in 2024. Chelsea had 51/48/83 in 2017. Nneka had 67/62/87 in 2017. Jackie had 52/45/87 in 2023. Sue had 47/45/83 in 2018. Maya had 51/45/88 in 2013. Diana had 46/41/89 in 2009.

Cool, cool, cool. How many of the others had double digit rebounds while leading the league in blocks?

Convenient to select a filter that is basically limited to wings and guards. What is truly unique is considering the MVP for someone who sat and watched a quarter of the season.

 

[bballnut90]

Good morning, gentlemen. I'm pretty sure we know who'd win the MVP vote here on the Boneyard but, Milford Husky, Wilson actually finished 50/43/85, which is pretty darned comparable to Napheesa's 53/40/90 season, and she had a significant lead in rebounding and blocks.

That A'ja played seven more games and rallied her team from a 14-14 start to 16 straight wins is quite significant. I believe the Lynx were 7-3 in games Napheesa sat. Can you imagine where the Aces would have been with Wilson for 10 games? The eye test alone should convince objective voters.

If so-called 'vote fatigue' isn't a factor, I find it hard to imagine Collier will get the MVP, much as she had a wonderful season.

Worth noting, Vegas went 1-3 without A’ja, 29-11 with her.

I think A’ja should win but I do believe voter fatigue is a real thing (this would be Wilson’s 4th MVP in the last 5 years) and could see a push for Collier due to 50/40/90, plus she hasn’t won before. There’s been a strong narrative of this being Pheesa’s MVP season even though Wilson has matched or surpassed her in almost all statistical categories and hasn’t missed 1/4 of the season.


To be honest though, if I’m a Vegas fan I’d rather see Collier win to fire up Wilson even more. In 2023 after A’ja didn’t get MVP, she tore through the playoffs and carried the Aces to a title.

 

[MilfordHusky]

Good morning, gentlemen. I'm pretty sure we know who'd win the MVP vote here on the Boneyard but, Milford Husky, Wilson actually finished 50/43/85, which is pretty darned comparable to Napheesa's 53/40/90 season, and she had a significant lead in rebounding and blocks.

That A'ja played seven more games and rallied her team from a 14-14 start to 16 straight wins is quite significant. I believe the Lynx were 7-3 in games Napheesa sat. Can you imagine where the Aces would have been with Wilson for 10 games? The eye test alone should convince objective voters.

If so-called 'vote fatigue' isn't a factor, I find it hard to imagine Collier will get the MVP, much as she had a wonderful season.

I may be biased, but ... I agree that 50/43/85 is really good. It may be "pretty darned comparable," but it's not equal. Only 2 players have finished with 50/40/90. One may not win the MVP, but Phee accomplished that rare feat and led her team to by far the best record in the league. I think the vote will be very close and perhaps controversial.

 

[Dillon77]

Been very interesting to read everyone's take on MVP.
I'll bring in how Richard Cohen of Her Hoops Stats for his take on MVP, as well as just about every regular-season award.
The attached column is (kinda) long, but well-reasoned. Exec. Summary:

• MVP: NaPheesa Collier (but oh so close)
• Rookie of the Year: Paige Bueckers (Notable second place: Sonia Citron)
• Coach of the Year: Natalie Nakase
• Most Improved Player: Veronica Burton
• Sixth Woman of the Year: Naz Hillmon
• Defensive Player of the Year: Alanna Smith (Another close one)
• Executive of the Year: Ohemaa Nyanin, Golden State Valkyries

2025 WNBA End-of-Season Award Picks

One writer's choices for every award that the WNBA hands out at the and of the regular season, including this year's tricky MVP decision

herhoopstats.substack.com

 

[The deacon]

I may be biased, but ... I agree that 50/43/85 is really good. It may be "pretty darned comparable," but it's not equal. Only 2 players have finished with 50/40/90. One may not win the MVP, but Phee accomplished that rare feat and led her team to by far the best record in the league. I think the vote will be very close and perhaps controversial.

Of course you're biased, MilfordHusky, as I am toward Huskies. 😍

Still, my debate stems from placing so much weight on the 90 part of Napheesa's 50/40/90. Heck, A'ja made 85.5 percent of her free throws! It's not like Wilson shot 60 percent from the line...

Much more importantly, she averaged three rebounds a game more, and had significantly more blocks.

How about that the Lynx were 7-3 in games Napheesa missed, while the Aces were 1-3 in games that A'ja sat?

My goodness, other than the voter fatigue factor, and that 'it's Napheesa's turn,' I can't see how anyone could vote for Collier over Wilson.

 

[Bone Dog]

How about that the Lynx were 7-3 in games Napheesa missed, while the Aces were 1-3 in games that A'ja sat?

Seriously? You're going to invoke how a team did when a player sat as a measure of her value? That's rich.

 

[darrell]

Been very interesting to read everyone's take on MVP.
I'll bring in how Richard Cohen of Her Hoops Stats for his take on MVP, as well as just about every regular-season award.
The attached column is (kinda) long, but well-reasoned. Exec. Summary:

• MVP: NaPheesa Collier (but oh so close)
• Rookie of the Year: Paige Bueckers (Notable second place: Sonia Citron)
• Coach of the Year: Natalie Nakase
• Most Improved Player: Veronica Burton
• Sixth Woman of the Year: Naz Hillmon
• Defensive Player of the Year: Alanna Smith (Another close one)
• Executive of the Year: Ohemaa Nyanin, Golden State Valkyries

2025 WNBA End-of-Season Award Picks

One writer's choices for every award that the WNBA hands out at the and of the regular season, including this year's tricky MVP decision

herhoopstats.substack.com

I think each award is picked perfectly. No notes.