Imagine putting together a 34-10 regular-season record, leading your team into the playoffs as the top seed, and posting jaw-dropping numbers: 22.9 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.6 steals, and 1.5 blocks per game, while shooting an efficient 53.1% from the field. That’s the kind of season Napheesa Collier delivered for the Minnesota Lynx. She was, by all accounts, the best player on the best team in the league. Yet, when the MVP award was announced, it wasn’t her name that was called—it was A’ja Wilson, for the second year in a row.

But she is not letting that affect her…..

When asked how she felt about losing out on the MVP for a second straight year to the same player, Collier kept it simple: “The team is way bigger than me. Whatever my personal goals are I’m here for the team and right now we’re focused on a championship so it was easy not to think about that.” 

For Phee, the championship matters far more than the MVP–a sentiment she has repeated countless times this season. After falling to the Liberty in the series decider last year, the Lynx came into 2025 hungry for revenge. While they won’t get that chance against the defending champions, who have already been eliminated, the ultimate goal of winning the championship remains.

Minnesota kicked off their WNBA semifinals series against the Mercury with a solid 82-69 victory on Sunday. Collier led the charge, contributing 18 points and grabbing nine rebounds to set the tone for the series. The Lynx are now just 2 wins away from playing another final.

While Collier has every right to be disappointed that only 18 voters gave her first-place MVP votes–compared to A’ja Wilson’s 51–her season was historic in its own right. She led the Lynx to a franchise-record 34 wins and became just the second WNBA player to record a 50‑40‑90 season, and the first to do so while averaging over 20 points per game.

And naturally, Coach Cheryl Reeve had to weigh in on this as well.

Cheryl Reeve Reacts to Napheesa Collier Missing Out on MVP

It’s not like A’ja didn’t deserve the MVP. She averaged 23.4 points, 10.2 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.6 steals, and 2.3 blocks this season, guiding the Aces to a 30-14 record and the No. 2 playoff seed. Her stellar performances also earned her the Defensive Player of the Year and WNBA scoring title honors, making it a phenomenal season for the Aces center. But that doesn’t mean Lynx fans can’t celebrate Collier’s incredible campaign too.

Coach Cheryl Reeve reacted to the news of A’ja Wilson winning the MVP ahead of the game against the Mercury. “Voters, just like defensive player of the year, voters did what they did and we’re focused on game one.” A controversial statement? Perhaps. But the work for the team doesn’t stop here.

For the Lynx and Napheesa Collier, it’s time to set aside MVP debates and focus on the playoffs. And that’s exactly what they did, dominating the Mercury 82-69 in a statement win. With Alyssa Thomas confident that all three of Phoenix’s big three were fit and ready to make a difference, Minnesota still managed to control the game. Collier led the charge, while Courtney Williams added a game-high 23 points–enough to secure the W for the Lynx.

It will be interesting to see how the season ends for the Lynx. They’re on the right track, but the road ahead won’t be easy. The Mercury have already shown that a Game 1 loss doesn’t faze them–they know how to mount a comeback, just like they did against the defending champions. How do you think this series will finish? Let us know in the comments below!