The WNBA regular season may be winding down, but the MVP conversation is just heating up. With Napheesa Collier and A’ja Wilson battling neck and neck, the award race feels more like a playoff series than a regular vote.
Fans and analysts alike are split on who deserves the crown, and now one insider has offered the latest update on how the voting is shaping up. The revelation only adds more suspense to an already dramatic showdown.
What Did Malika Andrews Reveal About the WNBA MVP Race?
Both Wilson and Collier have delivered historic performances, but the voting remains as close and unpredictable as ever. Speaking on NBA Today, WNBA insider Malika Andrews gave fans the clearest picture yet of how tense the MVP voting has become.
“I believe this is going to be close,” Andrews said. “Talking to folks around the league, voters are very, very torn here and I have heard of votes for Phee and I have heard of votes for A’ja. So, I am very curious to see how it’s all going to be totaled.”
Malika on the MVP voting:
“I believe this is going to be close. Talking to the folks around the league, voters are very very torn here and I have heard of votes for Phee and I have heard of votes for A’ja” pic.twitter.com/dHRNyWSeDy
— Oh No He Didn’t (@ohnohedidnt24) September 12, 2025
Her comments confirmed what many already suspected: there’s no clear-cut favorite, and the final tally could come down to the wire.
For much of the season, Collier looked like the runaway favorite. She led the league’s best team with efficiency rarely seen before, posting a remarkable 50/40/90 shooting split. Collier’s elite shooting numbers of 53.1% field goal efficiency, 40.3% three-point efficiency, and 90.6% free-throw efficiency solidified her place in the MVP conversation.
🚨 NAPHEESA COLLIER JOINS RARE COMPANY: 50-40-90 CLUB 🚨
53.1% FG
40.3% 3PT
90.1% FT
Collier is just the 2nd player in WNBA history to hit 50-40-90 in a season: Elena Delle Donne (2019) Napheesa Collier (2025)#WelcometotheW pic.twitter.com/q6y0qHjimQ
— WNBA (@WNBA) September 12, 2025
However, her campaign hit a snag in August when she sprained her ankle against the Las Vegas Aces. Missing 11 games gave Wilson the opening she needed to surge back into the race. Still, Collier returned with a vengeance, averaging 22.3 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 2.9 assists in her final 10 games.
Her ability to bounce back only reinforced why fans see her as one of the league’s brightest stars. If she wins, this would be her first MVP award, which is somewhat surprising given her caliber and impact on the court.
While Collier’s numbers were historic, Wilson made her own statement with sheer dominance. Already a three-time MVP, Wilson reminded everyone why she’s considered one of the greatest to ever play. She led the Aces on a blistering 16-game winning streak to close the season, scoring more than anyone else in 13 of those games.
Over her final 10 contests, Wilson averaged 26.9 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 2.9 blocks. This stretch could be the clincher for many voters. However, durability also became a factor. As Andrews later noted, she cast her own vote for Wilson, pointing to the fact that Wilson played 40 games while Collier appeared in only 33. In a race this tight, availability may just tip the scales.
How Will the WNBA MVP Be Decided?
The WNBA MVP will be chosen by a national panel of 60 sportswriters and broadcasters. Each voter ranks their top five candidates, and the player with the most total points wins. Unlike other awards, there’s no fan vote, making media opinions like Andrews’ all the more telling.
The WNBA has released a schedule for when it will announce this year’s award winners. MVP will be named Sunday, Sept. 21. pic.twitter.com/mmj9ohngkw
— ESPN Women’s Hoops (@ESPN_WomenHoop) September 12, 2025
The voters rank their top five picks, and each spot comes with points: 10 for first, seven for second, five for third, three for fourth, and one for fifth. Add it all up, and whoever has the most points walks away with the MVP trophy.
With Collier and Wilson both making history in their own ways, this year’s MVP announcement, set for September 21, promises to be one of the most dramatic in league history. For now, the league shifts its focus to the playoffs. But make no mistake: the Collier vs. Wilson MVP showdown is already one of the season’s defining battles.
