“All of her movements make sense. All of them.” Minnesota coach Cheryl Reeve boasted after her player Napheesa Collier won the Unrivaled MVP this year with 25.7 points,10.6 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game. Granted, that was 3-on-3 basketball, but she has shown her mettle in the WNBA throughout the years, winning the defensive player of the year once and multiple all-star call-ups. The MVP award is the one that has evaded her, along with the WNBA trophy, of course. 

Last year was a truly heartbreaking one for the Lynx and Napheesa, as they reached the finals while not being regarded as real contenders throughout the season. They stood sixth in the tip-off power rankings from the WNBA and moved up as the season went on. Collier herself had a historic season with 20.4 points, 3.4 assists, and  9.7 rebounds per game, but it was just her luck that A’ja Wilson chose 2024 to be the absolute monster and leader in almost all categories. Collier was the runner-up for the WNBA MVP award with 66 out of 67 votes for second place, but that second place would have hurt, along with that close finals loss in which one could argue that the Lynx was a better team, but the Liberty just cashed in on important moments. 

Napheesa is back this year with the same confidence and the same tricks on the court. She is leading the charts early in the season with 28.3 points per game. With Lynx on a 3-0 run to start, if they continue this momentum, Collier will be among the top contenders to win the MVP in 2025.

Even Lynx coach Cheryl Lynx thinks so. “Next step for her is obviously to have a season worthy of being MVP,” Reeve said after their win against Dallas. “I think that’s what she’s capable of doing. We all know that. Our fortunes hinge on her ability to do that.”

Collier, however, is focusing on the process and not the result, as she told Sportskeeda, “I’m really just focused on team stuff. We got so close to the championship last year. That’s my No. 1 goal. I think all of the other stuff comes after that. I’m just focused on us getting a championship.” Getting that elusive ring is the central goal and if the Lynx eventually do win that, Collier will most probably win the MVP too. The way Collier is playing has the fans excited, as they are already calling for a MVPhee for Phee. 

Napheesa Collier gets fan support after stellar start to the season 

Collier has been exceptional so far this season, putting up 28.3 points, 6.0 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game. Although it’s just the start of the season, Collier has come out swinging in full throttle. And it has the fans calling for her MVP, with a clever blend of “MVP” (Most Valuable Player) and “Phee,” a common nickname for Napheesa Collier.

Another fan wrote, “Just MVPhee Things,” seeing the astonishing statistics Napheesa has put up this season so far.

The “MVPhee” chant is blowing up because fans see her as more than a stat-sheet stuffer—she’s the heart of the Lynx, carrying them with clutch plays and cool-headed free throws.

But her competitors are not far behind; Caitlin Clark has 23.5 points and  10.5 assists per game so far this season, along with a triple-double to start with. Three time MVP A’ja Wilson is continuing her red-hot form with 26.5 points per game and as of now these three are neck and neck in this race and all three teams have the caliber to win that WNBA title too. 

Another fan pointed out that the Lynx haven’t been tested so far, writing, “Bro they have the easiest schedule till mid June. I ain’t impressed beating up the wings in 2 games hahaha.”

The Wings are arguably one of the bottom feeders for this season despite Paige Bueckers joining them. Their squad still is not as well-oiled as Lynx so that star is certainly beside Napheesa, as, on the other hand, Clark has faced better teams in Atlanta Dream and Chicago Sky. Wilson carried her team through with a 30-point game against the defending champion New York Liberty while following up with a 22 point game against the Sun. So consistency for Collier will be key in getting there and she has the goods to bring against anyone in the league.

This year’s WNBA is a battleground of superstars, with Collier, Wilson, and Clark stealing the show in a season that’s drawing bigger crowds than ever.

Collier’s impact isn’t just about the numbers, it’s about inspiring fans and helping carry the Lynx toward a title. League commissioner Cathy Engelbert has publicly praised the momentum players like Collier have brought, citing their leadership in off-season ventures like Unrivaled as key to growing the game’s visibility.

“Always amazed that she’s only 6’1,”  wrote another fan and her physical stature certainly limits her. The height of a power forward ranges from 6’1″ to 6’4″ in the WNBA so she falls on the lower end of the spectrum. Despite that, she navigates the league despite her slight disadvantage, spinning from defenders, finding those pockets in between the lines, driving to the basket and more tricks that have the defenders sweating. 

“Just tied all time record for 100% free throws in one game, 12 for 12,” wrote a fan. In three games she has had 21 throws, averaging 7 a game and she has made them all. While some might take it in a negative light, she earns her free throws with her trickery in the box to the point when the defender has to foul her. She is too quick and agile and flies past them and completes the play 100% of the time, as she is yet to miss one this season. That stat could be underestimated by fans but the Indiana Fever’s latest loss against the Dream was because they missed 10 free throws. Even Caitlin Clark pointed that out in the postgame interview. So you need to be cool and calm on the line, as these mistakes can cost the team later.