As the 2018 No. 1 overall pick for the Las Vegas Aces, A’ja Wilson has established why she deserves to be #1 in the league. Her dominance, rebounding, and flawless defense have successfully raised her to the throne season after season. So, when she became the first player to reach 1,000 points last season, she quickly rose to an instant favorite. Even the ESPN voting panel, comprising 3 media people, was in awe of her contributions last season, and they could not help but crown her with the MVP title. Fast forward to the ongoing season, if the 3× WNBA MVP continues to progress in the same dominant fashion, she might retain her crown and the throne. But only if it were this simple…

Talking about the MVP race, Jordan Robinson remarked, “A’ja is doing MVP numbers, but the team is losing. The team is at the bottom of the standings. Now, we can’t say that anymore, especially by the end of this week, they’re in the second. That has to be a huge factor if she’s in these MVP conversations.” With Wilson averaging 23.1 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 3.1 assists, the Las Vegas Aces cruised into the 2025 playoffs with an 11-game winning streak. While impressive, these statistics were enough to confuse an ESPN reporter.

ESPN’s Kendra Andrews joined host Robinson on the latest episode of The Women’s Hoops Show podcast to give her two cents on the MVP race. “I’m stressed like I… because I agree with you,” Kendra began. “I have a vote and I don’t know what to do with my vote because it is, there’s also the fact it’s also the fact that she, the Aces, went on this crazy spree. And A’ja’s been doing this while Phee was out, you know what I mean? So, it’s like a double punch of like, yeah, she came back last night.” While A’ja Wilson was the undisputed MVP last season with 67 first-place votes, the reporter is confused between her and Napheesa Collier.

Having said that, the Minnesota Lynx was the first team to secure a playoff spot this season. Despite that, Collier’s contributions this season can not go unnoticed. She has averaged 23.9 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 3.4 assists so far. Moreover, she pointed out that the Aces have been acing the game lately, especially as Collier tended to her ankle injury from the sidelines. And by the time the 2024 DPOY returned to the active roster, the Aces had already progressed into the Top 8, thereby complicating the choice for Andrews.

“I think this MVP-like race is going to be absolutely insane,” the ESPN reporter added. “Another save the date for September 4th because the Aces and Lynx do have one more game on the calendar, which I’m so excited about. And, I mean, maybe that’s the game that I’m like, winner gets my vote. I don’t know what to do.” As one of the voters on the panel this season, Kendra has yet to decide on whom to vote for the MVP title. Last season, reporters Alexa Phillipou, Kevin Pelton, and Michael Voepel unanimously voted for A’ja Wilson.

But she soon decided to review the Aces-Lynx game on September 4 before deciding on whom to vote for the 2025 MVP title. The reporter even shared how the Lynx’s successful run without the star player can be a major turning point for Collier and Wilson, as she might consider that before voting. While the Minnesota Lynx and LV Aces are the top two teams for the playoffs, Collier has already beaten her counterpart Wilson virtually this season.

Napheesa Collier becomes the highest-rated NBA 2K athlete

Despite boasting a league-high average of 23.9 points, Napheesa Collier made heads turn once again. With the 27th edition of NBA 2K early access just around the corner, WNBA veteran Sue Bird had a surprise in store for the athlete. “Okay, Phee, we’ve got a little surprise for you,” Sue Bird said. “Did you know you’re going to be the highest-rated WNBA player in the NBA 2K26 at launch?”

Already aware, Collier nodded with, “I did get a call from Ronnie today, actually. It’s awesome. I’m so excited.” The upcoming rendition of the virtual basketball world, NBA 2K26, saw Collier rated as the highest among the top ten WNBA players to feature in the games. Having said that, Collier ranked just one number above A’ja Wilson at 98.

“I asked him why I wasn’t a 99, but he said, ‘We’ll re-evaluate after the season.’ I was like, ‘Okay, if we win or if I get MVP, I want that 99.’ And he said, ‘Maybe.’ So, we’ll see,” Collier told Bird. Other WNBA players to join Collier and Wilson are Breanna Stewart, Caitlin Clark, Alyssa Thomas, Sabrina Ionescu, Nneka Ogwumike, Satou Sabally, Jonquel Jones, and Angel Reese.

Set to release on September 05, 2025, the NBA 2K26 will include 3-on-3 and 5-on-5 team modes with mixed teams comprising NBA as well as WNBA players. While the standard edition will feature Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on the cover, Chicago Sky athlete Angel Reese will grace the cover of the women’s virtual gaming edition.