WNBA: Collier and Bueckers lead awards; Who are the favorites?

2025 WNBA Awards Race: Who are the Favorites?

The 2025 WNBA season is in full swing, and while the focus is on the playoff race, the players’ performances in the coming weeks will define who will be recognized with the individual awards. Injuries and team fluctuations continue to be key factors in the race for awards.

Napheesa Collier, despite her injury, remains the favorite for MVP.

Alofoke Deportes

One thing hasn’t changed: Napheesa Collier, forward for the Minnesota Lynx, despite being out with an ankle injury, remains the leading candidate for the MVP award. Collier, who was the MVP of the All-Star Game, is having the best season of her career, and the Lynx are leading the league. Alyssa Thomas, forward for the Phoenix Mercury, has been pushing her MVP candidacy, but it will be difficult to catch up to Collier. The favorites for other awards have changed every month, and could change again when the final votes are cast in September. Here’s an analysis of the main contenders in six categories, with expert opinions.

MVP

Kendra Andrews: Napheesa Collier, Minnesota LynxKevin Pelton: Napheesa Collier, Minnesota LynxAlexa Philippou: Napheesa Collier, Minnesota LynxMichael Voepel: Napheesa Collier, Minnesota LynxAlofoke Deportes’ Favorite: Napheesa Collier, Minnesota Lynx Despite missing the last three games due to a sprained ankle, Collier remains the unanimous choice. Minnesota has won all three games without Collier, albeit by smaller margins, and still maintains a six-game lead in the standings. If Collier is out for more than the two weeks that were initially reported he would miss, the race could become interesting. But Collier has been the best player in the league all season and has played more minutes than her closest competitor, Alyssa Thomas. (Collier was also the favorite in June and July).Main competitor: Alyssa Thomas, Phoenix Mercury Thomas’s value can be appreciated by observing the rise of Phoenix and the fall of Connecticut this season. She has felt more comfortable as the months have passed in her first season in Phoenix, becoming the first player in WNBA history to record triple-doubles in three consecutive games earlier this month. Thomas, MVP runner-up in 2023, is averaging career highs in points (16.0) and assists (9.0, league-leading), which puts her in second place in our voting. However, don’t count out the current MVP, A’ja Wilson: she became the first player in league history with a 30-20 game earlier this week and has led the Las Vegas Aces on a five-game winning streak. — Kevin Pelton

Rookie of the Year

Andrews: Paige Bueckers, Dallas WingsPelton: Paige Bueckers, Dallas WingsPhilippou: Paige Bueckers, Dallas WingsVoepel: Paige Bueckers, Dallas WingsAlofoke Deportes’ Favorite: Paige Bueckers, Dallas Wings Aside from missing seven games due to injury or illness, Bueckers’ transition to the WNBA has been smooth. Bueckers is practically a lock to be the fourth consecutive number 1 pick to be named Rookie of the Year, following Atlanta’s Rhyne Howard and Indiana’s Aliyah Boston and Caitlin Clark. Bueckers averages 18.4 points, 5.4 assists, and 4.0 rebounds, with 45.2% shooting efficiency. It has been a difficult season for the Wings, with a 9-24 record, but Bueckers has been a bright spot. The Wings have been at their best when she is on the court, and they could still gain some momentum for next year during the final weeks of the 2025 season. Personnel moves must be made around Bueckers to improve Dallas for 2026. (Bueckers was also Alofoke Deportes’ favorite in July).

Main competitor: Sonia Citron, Washington Mystics

Citron, the No. 3 pick, who joined Bueckers and Mystics teammate Kiki Iriafen as All-Star rookies, has lived up to her lottery selection. With fellow guard Brittney Sykes having been traded to Seattle on August 5, Citron is Washington’s leading scorer with 14.8 points, shooting 46.5% from the field. She averages 4.5 rebounds and 2.4 assists. Her 51 three-pointers lead the Mystics (14-18) and are the most among all WNBA rookies this season. — Michael Voepel

Defensive Player of the Year

Andrews: Gabby Williams, Seattle StormPelton: Gabby Williams, Seattle StormPhilippou: Alanna Smith, Minnesota LynxVoepel: Napheesa Collier, Minnesota LynxAlofoke Deportes’ Favorite: Gabby Williams, Seattle Storm

This race is still open with four weeks left in the season. Three players earned first-place votes from our panel, and another (Alyssa Thomas) earned runner-up votes. Williams’ candidacy could depend on Seattle recovering from a recent six-game losing streak that has seen the Storm drop from second to fifth in the defensive standings. Still, Williams is a top-tier individual defender, with 2.5 steals, the most for a WNBA player since 2013.

(Napheesa Collier was the favorite in July, while Natasha Cloud in June).Main competitors: Napheesa Collier, Minnesota Lynx; Alyssa Thomas, Phoenix Mercury; A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces As happened last year, the main MVP candidates are also at the forefront of the DPOY race. Collier’s stats are as good as when she won this award, although she could split votes with her teammates. Meanwhile, Thomas has led Phoenix to second place in the defensive standings after the Mercury finished ninth a year ago. And although the Aces’ defense is not in the same category, Wilson remains the WNBA’s best shot blocker. — Peloton

Most Improved Player

Andrews: Allisha Gray, Atlanta Dream

Pelton: Veronica Burton, Golden State ValkyriesPhilippou: Veronica Burton, Golden State ValkyriesVoepel: Veronica Burton, Golden State ValkyriesAlofoke Deportes’ Favorite: Veronica Burton, Golden State Valkyries Burton’s story is about perseverance meeting opportunity. Burton, the number 7 pick in the 2022 draft from Northwestern, played two seasons with Dallas, averaging about 2.5 points, before being waived before the 2024 season. Connecticut picked her up and she has played 31 games with the Sun, averaging 3.1 points. She was selected in the number 3 spot by the Valkyries in the expansion draft and has been one of the keys to the first-year franchise. The 25-year-old guard has always been a strong defensive player, and now averages 11.2 points, 5.2 assists, and 4.3 rebounds. She scored a career-high 30 points on Wednesday in a win over Washington, as the Valkyries (17-15) seek a playoff spot. (Allisha Gray was the favorite in July).Main competitors: Allisha Gray, Atlanta Dream; Azura Stevens, Los Angeles Sparks Gray, 30, is already an established player (All-Star, Olympic gold medalist, and 2017 Rookie of the Year) who is enjoying the best season of her career. Stevens, 29, is also having the best year of her career (14.6 PPG, 8.1 RPG, 51.4% FG) and has ascended to a more elite status during her eighth season in the league, as she hopes to help the Sparks return to the postseason. — Voepel

Sixth Player of the Year

Andrews: Naz Hillmon, Atlanta Dream

Pelton: Naz Hillmon, Atlanta DreamPhilippou: Naz Hillmon, Atlanta DreamVoepel: Naz Hillmon, Atlanta DreamAlofoke Deportes’ Favorite: Naz Hillmon, Atlanta Dream The Dream have outscored their opponents by 13.5 points per 100 possessions with Hillmon on the court, the best net rating for any WNBA rotation player not on the Lynx. That reflects Hillmon’s new ability to stretch the court (1.2 three-pointers per game after one total in her first three professional seasons). By eliminating 2-point long shots from her game under Karl Smesko, Hillmon is also shooting 69% inside the arc and has remained in the starting lineup alongside Brionna Jones since Brittney Griner returned from injury. Because Hillmon came off the bench in Atlanta’s first 27 games, she will qualify for the Sixth Player award even if she remains a starter the rest of the way. (Kennedy Burke was the favorite in June and July).

Main competitor: Jessica Shepard, Minnesota Lynx

With initial favorite Kennedy Burke of the New York Liberty missing more than two weeks due to a calf strain, Shepard has moved up the pecking order. Shepard and Natisha Hiedeman have averaged more than 7 points from Minnesota’s second unit, but Shepard is doing it with superior efficiency (61% shooting) and has been one of the league’s best rebounders this season. — Pelton

Coach of the Year

Andrews: Natalie Nakase, Golden State ValkyriesPelton: Natalie Nakase, Golden State ValkyriesPhilippou: Natalie Nakase, Golden State ValkyriesVoepel: Natalie Nakase, Golden State ValkyriesAlofoke Deportes’ Favorite: Natalie Nakase, Golden State Valkyries Nakase was an important part of the Aces’ success as one of Becky Hammon’s assistants, and that made her an excellent candidate for head coach this season. Nakase was ready to devise strategies at the highest level. That has been an important factor in the expansion Valkyries being a possible playoff team. Golden State has been particularly impressive on defense, allowing the fewest points in the league (77.3 PPG). (Nakase was the favorite in July. Nate Tibbetts of Phoenix was the favorite in June).

Main competitor: Karl Smesko, Atlanta Dream

Smesko has gone from being consistently good at Florida Gulf Coast to finding success in his first WNBA season. The Dream, with a 21-11 record, are in second place and have won six straight games, and eight of their last nine. Gray and Hillmon are having career-best years. The Dream, who averaged a league-record 77.0 points last season, are scoring 84.3 points this year. — Voepel