With just a few weeks left in the WNBA regular season, the league’s MVP race remains one of the most hotly debated topics. Now, one of the game’s most respected legends has made her pick.
Sue Bird, a four-time WNBA champion and 13-time All-Star, made clear on her podcast this week that she favors Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier for the 2025 MVP award.
On the August 28 episode of “A Touch More“, which Bird co-hosts with fiancée Megan Rapinoe, the discussion turned to the league’s top individual honor. Rapinoe argued that Collier has pulled ahead in the race, and Bird said she agreed.
“I agree with you. I’m leaning towards Phee,” Bird said. “What has really kept me in the Phee camp is her first game back from injury, she had 32 points, nine rebounds, shot almost 70 percent from the field. That’s crazy. And like you said, it’s best player on best team, by a mile, and when that’s happening, it’s hard to turn away from [Collier].”
Collier leads the league in scoring at 23.9 points per game and has the Lynx within reach of the No. 1 playoff seed. Minnesota is one victory away from clinching the top spot despite still having seven games to play. Collier missed 10 games earlier this month with an ankle injury but has returned with dominant performances.
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Her absence, however, would make history if she goes on to win the award. The most games missed by a WNBA MVP in the same season they won is five, set by Jonquel Jones in 2021 with the Connecticut Sun. Jones sat out five of the 32 regular-season games — about 15.6 percent. Collier has already missed 10 of Minnesota’s 44 contests, or 22.7 percent, a figure no past MVP has approached.
Las Vegas Aces forward A’ja Wilson, the reigning MVP, remains firmly in the race. Wilson is averaging 23.4 points and 10.2 rebounds while leading the Aces on a 12-game winning streak since the All-Star break. She missed four games earlier in the year but has been a driving force during the league’s longest active run.
Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas is also considered a top candidate. She has produced multiple triple-doubles this season and leads the league in assists, though much of the debate has centered on Collier and Wilson.
Bird noted that both superstars have valid cases and said the final decision will come down to voter preference.
“It’s ultimately going to be up to voters’ personal preference on which of these two superstars receives the award,” Bird said.
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The choice may hinge on whether voters weigh Collier’s role as the top scorer and centerpiece of the league’s best team more heavily than Wilson’s continued dominance and Las Vegas’ late surge. Thomas’ all-around impact could also sway a portion of the ballot.
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